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ABPS Offers Physician Certification Options in Primary Care Specialties

Young doctor consulting with an older doctorThe American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is a nationally recognized multi‑specialty certifying body that offers physicians an alternative path to board certification. Founded in 1952 — with its first physician certified in 1960 — ABPS was created to provide a rigorous, inclusive certification process for both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians.

ABPS stands out by offering certification in a wide range of specialties, including traditional fields, underserved areas, and emerging disciplines. For physicians who value patient-centered care and want a credential that reflects their expertise and commitment to excellence, ABPS offers a respected and credible choice.

Recognition in the Medical Community

ABPS certification is broadly accepted across the healthcare industry. It is recognized by several federal healthcare agencies and respected by hospitals, employers, and credentialing authorities. In many U.S. states, medical boards accept ABPS certification as valid evidence of a physician’s qualifications, and certified physicians regularly obtain hospital privileges and insurance credentialing based on their ABPS credentials.

Board Certification Options Across Specialties

ABPS offers board certification in 20 medical specialties and subspecialties through 12 Member Boards. For physicians in primary care, ABPS certifies specialties such as:

  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine Obstetrics
  • Emergency Medicine

In addition to primary care, ABPS offers certifications in other clinical fields like Dermatology, Diagnostic Radiology, Orthopedic Surgery, as well as emerging fields such as Disaster Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Interventional Pain Management.

Eligibility for Certification

To be considered for ABPS certification, applicants must meet several baseline criteria:

  • Graduation from a recognized allopathic or osteopathic medical school (U.S., Canada, or internationally)
  • A valid, unrestricted medical license to practice medicine in the U.S., its territories, or Canada
  • Adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics and active practice in the specialty for which certification is being sought

Some specialties may also require completion of an accredited residency or fellowship, case documentation, or letters of recommendation. Each Member Board outlines its own additional criteria.

Why Certify With ABPS?

For physicians looking to validate their skills, boost career flexibility, and align with a values-driven organization, ABPS certification offers distinct advantages.

Flexible Certification Options

As the healthcare field evolves, ABPS gives physicians the opportunity to certify in newer, relevant specialties that reflect today’s patient care landscape. Its flexible pathways acknowledge real-world practice experience and diverse career journeys.

Credibility & Professional Recognition

ABPS certification is backed by rigorous standards and psychometrically validated exams. Physicians certified through ABPS demonstrate clinical expertise, ethical commitment, and a focus on delivering high-quality care.

Strong Professional Community

ABPS Diplomates are part of a national community committed to advancing the practice of medicine and improving patient outcomes. The organization encourages collaboration, mentorship, and leadership within the profession.

How to Apply for Certification

The application process for ABPS certification is straightforward but thorough. Physicians must:

  • Choose their specialty and review the specific eligibility requirements.
  • Submit the completed application along with the required documents.
  • Pay the appropriate certification fees.

Required Documents

Applicants typically need to provide:

  • Proof of graduation from an approved medical school
  • Current medical license documentation
  • A current CV outlining education, work experience, and training
  • Letters of recommendation, if required
  • Any additional specialty‑specific documentation, such as training logs or case studies

Certification Duration and Recertification

ABPS certifications are valid for eight years, expiring on December 31 of the eighth year. Recertification ensures physicians maintain their clinical knowledge and uphold ethical and professional standards.

General Recertification Requirements

While each specialty may have its own process, most ABPS Member Boards require:

  • Completion of a minimum number of continuing medical education (CME) hours
  • A non-remedial medical ethics course
  • A written recertification exam

This balanced approach helps physicians stay current without unnecessary administrative burden.

How Patients, Employers, and Physicians Benefit

ABPS certification impacts more than a physician’s resume — it improves the healthcare system for everyone involved.

Confidence for Patients

For patients, certification offers peace of mind. It reassures them that their physician has met high standards of training, experience, and ethical conduct.

Clarity for Employers

Hospitals, practices, and insurers benefit from the transparency that ABPS certification provides. It streamlines credentialing and supports sound staffing decisions by validating a physician’s expertise.

Career Growth for Physicians

ABPS certification can open doors to new leadership roles, teaching opportunities, and practice privileges. It also positions physicians as leaders in their field, especially in specialties where demand is growing and certification demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence.

A Valuable Option in Primary Care

For primary care physicians, having choices in board certification is more important than ever. ABPS provides a flexible, respected, and forward-looking pathway for physicians to validate their credentials, align with a mission-driven organization, and advocate for patient-first care. Whether you’re early in your career or seeking recertification, ABPS offers the tools and support to help you succeed in today’s healthcare environment.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to pursue board certification or recertification, contact the ABPS to learn more about eligibility, application requirements, and available specialties. Join a community of physicians who prioritize quality, ethics, and patient-centered care.

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

With declining access for maternity care amid rising maternal mortality, ABPS and their Board Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics has been essential for me and many of my colleagues in getting privileges and thereby creating local access for mothers and their children.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
John B. Waits, MD
Family Medicine Obstetrics
Board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialties has served to substantiate my interest and additional training in several fields of medicine including Internal Medicine, Disaster Medicine, and Administrative Medicine. As a result, I have been able to serve my community in clinical, disaster response, and administrative medicine roles. Through the ABPS, I have become recognized as a leader in my various fields of interest.

Spencer Price MD, MPH, MBA
Administrative Medicine
In this era, when continuous updated medical knowledge means so much to you, when quality of emergency care matters most to you ,when you need to excel in your medical career to continue providing exceptional service to your critically ill patients, please consider board certification with the Boad of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). Where your knowledge & expertise translates to credentialing & certification with wider approval & recognition every day at many fronts. We Welcome you to join our team for a brighter future of our emergency healthcare where dedication to profession relies not solely on clinical practice but also on sound academic certification.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Ashraf A. Gerges, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
Board certification in Orthopedic Surgery through the American Board of Physician Specialties validated my training and surgical experience through a process that was both rigorous and respectful of real-world practice. ABPS recognizes clinical competence, not just credentials, and that sets it apart.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Orthopedic Surgery
The American Board of Physician Specialties is a forward- thinking organization that focuses on where Medicine is going, not just where it has been. Traditional Certification Boards like Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Dermatology are represented as are Integrative Medicine, Disaster Medicine, and Family Medicine-Obstetrics. Physicians appreciate the ability to showcase their skills and knowledge through Board Certification, and this organization allows excellent physicians the ability to bring their skills to patients. The dedication and commitment of this organization and its volunteers will ensure ongoing distinction and commitment for decades to come.

Jeffrey B. Stricker, DO, MBA, FAASD
Jeffrey B. Stricker, DO, MBA, FAASD
Dermatology
Serving as a member on the American board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) for many years and now serving as a Member at Large of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) has been an enriching and rewarding experience. The board’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and positive impact is truly inspiring. I am grateful to collaborate with such a dedicated and visionary group, and I am proud of the meaningful progress we continue to achieve together.

Arti Prasad, MD, FACP
Arti Prasad, MD, FACP
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
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