Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Doctor, Are You Eligible for ABPS Board Certification?

Doctor, Are You Eligible for ABPS Board Certification?If you are a physician who is considering board certification – congratulations. You’re on your way to a smart decision, one that can yield a slew of career advantages, not to mention the benefits it offers to both your employer and your patients. Here at the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), where we offer board certification in a range of specialties and subspecialties, we have seen our Diplomates embrace leadership positions in facilities across the nation. It’s not surprising when you consider what a differentiator board certification can be, helping to single out qualified physicians who, through an extensive application process and stringent testing, have demonstrated extraordinary talent in their specialty.

Moreover, the prestige that certified physicians can bestow on hospitals is immeasurable. Knowing that a facility has certified doctors on staff eases patients’ anxiety and helps to instill them with confidence that they will receive the knowledgeable and compassionate medical care they seek.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

With the goal of offering the highest standards in certification to meet the public’s evolving healthcare needs while helping physicians achieve career success, the ABPS has established general eligibility requirements that include:

  • Three to five years of advanced training, depending on the specialty, and completion of an ACGME- or AOA-approved residency
  • Attestation of a full, unrestricted medical license
  • Completion of a non-remedial medical ethics course
  • At least 50 hours a year of continuing medical education
  • Achieving recertification after eight years

In keeping with our commitment to helping provide a high level of medical care that ensures patient safety, the ABPS is the only multi-specialty that requires its Diplomates to complete a medical ethics course to earn recertification.

A Pragmatic Approach to Physician Board Certification

We have a practical way of certifying doctors that helps them move ahead personally and professionally, all while keeping up with the rising needs of patient care. Our Diplomates work in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and are seen as experts in their areas. Big medical groups and professional organizations have noticed this and even changed their rules and standards to include the ABPS.

We’re may be the smallest of the three multi-specialty certifying groups, but that lets us focus on each Diplomates’ needs better. We work hard to support our Diplomates, teaming up with lawmakers and others to make sure they have a strong say. And we create spaces for Diplomates to swap great ideas, share success stories, and talk about what they’ve learned to make patient care better for everyone.

How ABPS Certification Benefits Physicians

To earn board certification with the ABPS, candidates must pass a psychometrically validated written exam that tests core concepts of a specialty and measures how candidates have mastered the subject matter. Understandably, both the certification process and the exams are rigorous, but when you become ABPS certified, you join a varied group of medical professionals who are well-regarded in healthcare. As an ABPS-certified physician, you’ll have:

  • Plenty of networking opportunities
  • More opportunities for career advancement and higher earnings
  • A meaningful voice as a valued participant in the community
  • Opportunities to share your expertise and clinical insights.

Get More Information About Certifying With the ABPS

To learn more about our eligibility requirements, or for information about our standardized exams, which are offered across a network of testing centers in the United States and Canada, contact the ABPS today. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.®

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