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Are You No Longer Board Eligible in Internal Medicine?

Are You No Longer Board Eligible in Internal Medicine Physicians seeking board certification in internal medicine start the process knowing that it may be altogether demanding. Not only must they satisfy several eligibility requirements, such as submitting proof of medical school education, letters of recommendation, and completing an accredited residency, but they must also study and sit for comprehensive certification exams – all while practicing their specialty day in, day out. But, for the dedicated internists who achieve certification, the process is more than worth it. As one of the highest honors a physician can receive, board certification makes practitioners highly marketable to employers and instills patients with confidence that their doctor has the skills and knowledge to give them the best care available.

Unfortunately, many talented internists are at risk of losing their opportunity to become certified. That’s because, in July 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) initiated a seven-year time limit for qualified internists to be considered “board eligible,” starting after they met the initial requirements, or on July 1, 2012, whichever was later. If ABIM board-eligible physicians fail to earn certification by the end of their eligibility period, they must complete a year of retraining in an ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship program in order to re-establish eligibility. Thankfully, there is another option.

Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM)

Qualified internists can apply now through the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM), a member board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). The ABPS is nationally recognized as a prestigious choice for multi-specialty certification, with ABPS Diplomates practicing in all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

Our eligibility requirements are certainly strict, and our testing standards are valid, reliable, and psychometrically sound. Not only that, we are the only major certifying body that requires a non-remedial medical ethics course every eight years. But once you’ve earned BCIM certification, you will be part of a diverse group of like-minded professionals respected throughout the health care industry, and who act as public advocates within their chosen specialty, share knowledge and best practices, and enjoy ample professional networking opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements of the BCIM

To be eligible to apply for certification with the BCIM, an internal medicine physician must have an unrestricted medical license for every state in which he or she is licensed. Other eligibility requirements include:

  • A curriculum vitae that includes medical school experiences and degrees earned
  • Graduation from a medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, or the Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools
  • Completion of an internal medicine residency accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the AOA. The ABPS also accepts residencies recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
  • Two letters of recommendation from Diplomates of the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine

BCIM Exam for Board Certification

The BCIM exam provides physicians with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the core competencies required for delivering excellent medical care in internal medicine. Consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions, the computer-based exam is evaluated using industry-standard psychometric criteria. It covers a variety of related areas, such as dermatology, cardiology, genetic disorders, nephrology, endocrinology, allergies and immunities, and neurology. For registration dates, fees, and more information, click here. Upon successful completion, all ABPS certificates are valid for eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year.

To learn more about candidate requirements for BCIM board certification, or about the benefits of certification through an ABPS Member Board, contact us today. The ABPS is the official board certification body of the American Association of Physician Specialties, Inc.

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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.

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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