What Is the ABPS?

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is the official multi-specialty board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS), Inc. The ABPS is one of the three most prominent nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying entities in the United States. The Member Boards of the ABPS offer specialty certification examinations for qualified allopathic (MD.) and osteopathic (DO) physicians. Oversight of the ABPS is governed by the AAPS board of directors and chief executive officer, who help make sure that eligibility requirements and testing standards are stringent.

Physician Board Certification Options Offered by the ABPS

The 12 Member Boards of the ABPS administer 20 specialties:

  • Administrative Medicine
  • Anesthesiology
  • Dermatology
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Disaster Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Medicine Obstetrics
  • Family Medicine
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiation Oncology
  • General Surgery
  • Urgent Care Medicine

The ABPS is the only multi-specialty certification body that offers certification in integrative medicine and disaster medicine. Additionally, physicians who have extensive experience working in emergency departments, but who completed their residencies in a primary care field, can earn emergency medicine certification with the ABPS without needing to complete an additional residency.

A Pragmatic Approach to Board Certification

Physicians have invested considerable time and money in their medical training, so it’s only right that they should be able to choose the certification board that best reflects their values and enhances their careers. At the ABPS, we have maintained this pragmatic approach to certification since our founding way back in 1952. That’s when a group of osteopathic surgeons who had completed allopathic residencies and were denied AOA and ABMS certification created a certification board that didn’t discriminate on training and actually tested a physician’s knowledge of the specialty. The ABPS certified its first physician in 1960 and since then has certified and recertified physicians in a wide range of specialties. Today, ABPS Diplomates can be found in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and many ABPS Diplomates are leaders at respected institutions.

High Certification Standards to Benefit the Public as Well as Physicians

The objectives of the ABPS are to:

  • Set rigorous standards for physician board certification
  • Provide an active forum for addressing certification issues confronting physician specialists
  • Establish and maintain professional standards for each medical specialty board of certification and verify that members meet and maintain these standards
  • Promote communication and provide a coordinated structure for conducting the affairs of the affiliated boards of certification
  • Review and act upon applications for new specialty boards
  • Promote collegiality, fraternity, and service among ABPS Diplomates
  • Inform the public about specialty certification, the certification process, and the status of certified physicians

Every ABPS Diplomate is expected to adhere to the organization’s code of ethics and stated values, which include a dedication to conducting themselves with the highest level of integrity while ensuring that patients are safely administered the highest level of medical care. To learn more, contact the ABPS today. We would be happy to provide you with detailed information that includes our various eligibility requirements.

 

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Patient Care Is Our Priority

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

When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine