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Facts About the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS)

Founded in 1952, the American Board of Physician Specialties® is a nationally recognized choice in physician board certification that includes 12 Member Boards with Diplomates in 20 specialties. Today, leading medical entities, stakeholders, and professional organizations have updated their bylaws, policies, and standards to include ABPS. ABPS offers the highest standards in physician board certification that meet the healthcare needs of the public and aid physicians in achieving success in the continuously evolving medical environment. Its Diplomates practice throughout the United States and serve as leaders in their medical specialties.

Here are some important facts about ABPS:

  • ABPS Diplomates and applicants have been primary-source verified by Aperture, a Joint Commission and National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accredited Credentials Verification Organization (CVO).
  • ABPS Member Boards are listed in the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare’s (CAQH) Proview application. CAQH is a platform that gathers enrollment and credentialing data in a single repository for participating health plans and other healthcare organizations.
  • Federal and state organizations that recognize ABPS certifications include, but are not limited to, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Veterans’ Health Administration and the United States Armed Forces under the GI Bill, along with state medical boards with specific advertising rules.
  • ABPS is recognized in the definition of Physician Board Certification in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook.
  • Various state medical boards have also completed their due diligence and retain strict language that accepts and recognizes ABPS as a recognized certifying board that meets the higher standards of certification they require. Some state medical boards, including Florida, have written ABPS into their stringent language.
  • ABPS examinations, procedures, and protocols not only meet the highest standards possible, but are clinically, psychometrically, and legally defensible. An objective third party and industry leader (Castle Worldwide) conducted a comprehensive assessment of the ABPS’ rigorous standards and found that they were equivalent to those set by ABMS and AOA.
  • ABPS requires a recertification exam every eight (8) years along with 400 CMEs (200 CMEs specialty specific) and a medical ethics course completed in that time frame.
  • Leading healthcare and credentialing organizations such as Greely, HCPro, and the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) recognize ABPS as a choice in physician certification. In addition, HCPro’s Medical Staff Governing Documents – Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures and NAMSS’s Ideal Credentialing Standards Whitepaper and Managed Care Resource Toolkit have been revised to reflect this recognition.
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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 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
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
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