Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Anesthesiology Board Certification Eligibility Requirements

Anesthesiology Requirements

The Member Boards of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) share several base-line eligibility requirements. These include owning an unrestricted medical license for every state in which the physician is licensed, annual attestation to the currency of those unrestricted medical licenses, adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, and a certain amount of experience within the physician’s chosen field.

The eligibility requirements specifically for candidates who seek board certification through the Board of Certification in Anesthesiology (BCA) include (but are not limited to):

  • Completion of an ACGME-accredited PGY-1 program or an AOA-accredited internship accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
  • Completion of ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in Anesthesiology
  • Submitting 10 anesthesia case reports that include the redacted anesthesia record sheet from the chart and are no older than twelve months from the date the candidate’s application for certification is received by ABPS
  • Submitting two letters of recommendation from Diplomates of an ABPS, ABMS, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC board of certification
  • Verification of active practice by means of a letter on facility letterhead detailing active privileges, the period of service, and signed by of the Chief of Department, Chief of Staff, or Chair of Credentialing Committee.
  • Documented completion of at least 30 hours of CME in anesthesia during the preceding two years (waived for those within two years of completion of residency)

To achieve certification in anesthesiology, eligible candidates must pass both a written and an oral examination. The written test, comprising 200 multiple-choice questions, spans four hours. Candidates must successfully pass this written component before they can proceed to the oral examination. You can find details on application dates and examination fees here.

The standards and eligibility requirements set forth by the ABPS are as rigorous as you’ll find with any multi-specialty board certification body in the nation. The exam questions are written and validated by Diplomates of the BCA under the direction of the ABPS and psychometric consultants.

Benefits of Physician Board Certification With the BCA

Achieving certification from the BCA offers physicians numerous advantages. Firstly, it welcomes them into a prestigious community of professionals dedicated to the highest standards of patient care. As the demand for board-certified physicians increases, holding certification from an ABPS Member Board significantly enhances a physician’s appeal to potential employers. Moreover, the ABPS is committed to fostering strong relationships with healthcare organizations, hospital groups, legislators, and other influential stakeholders to ensure that our physicians are influential voices in the medical community and that patient care remains the foremost priority over the business aspects of healthcare.

ABPS Encourages Qualified Physicians to Apply for Anesthesiology Certification

To learn more about the exam formulation or candidate requirements for anesthesiology board certification, contact the ABPS today.  BCA-certified physicians are recognized throughout the medical industry as committed professionals who enhance the reputation of their organizations and colleagues, assuring patients of the highest quality healthcare.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
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.

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
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
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
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 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
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact