Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

BCIM Is a Competitive Board Certification Choice for Internists

BCIM is a Competitive Board Certification Choice for InternistsIf you are an internal medicine physician researching board certification options, you should know that the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM) offers qualified and experienced internists certification in the specialty. The BCIM is a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), which is recognized in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook and by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a leading choice for physician certification.

Founded in 1952 to give experienced physicians a way to validate their skills through stringent testing and distinguish themselves as talented medical specialists, the ABPS is the nation’s smallest multi-specialty certification body. This size creates an efficiency that you won’t find at larger organizations. It’s an efficiency that allows the BCIM to respond to the specific needs of internists practicing today.

The Best and Brightest

Internists who pass the rigorous, clinically-based BCIM certification exam are those who have demonstrated command of internal medicine’s core concepts and the skills required to deliver exceptional patient care. BCIM physicians are members of a highly motivated community of like-minded physicians who share best practices and apprise each other of career opportunities. For a measure of the BCIM’s extensive recognition, consider that BCIM Diplomates can be found across the country and practice their specialty at some of the nation’s most respected medical institutions.

As BCIM Diplomates, internists can expect that the ABPS will work tirelessly on their behalf with practice management groups, legislators, and certifying organizations to give them a strong voice in their community.

Eligibility Requirements for BCIM Internal Medicine Certification

To qualify for certification with the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM), physicians must hold an unrestricted medical license in each state where they are licensed. Additional requirements for eligibility include:

  • A curriculum vitae detailing medical school experiences and degrees obtained.
  • 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 (ACGME) or the AOA, with residencies recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada also accepted.
  • Two letters of recommendation from Diplomates of the BCIM, the American Board of Internal Medicine, or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.

The BCIM examination is a clinically-based test designed to assess whether candidates have mastered the essential competencies necessary for exceptional practice in internal medicine. This computer-based exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that are formulated based on industry-recognized psychometric standards. The exam covers various internal medicine areas including dermatology, cardiology, genetic disorders, nephrology, endocrinology, allergies and immunities, and neurology.

You can find details about the application process, exam dates, and fees here.

Once awarded, BCIM certification is valid for eight years, expiring on December 31st of the final year.

If you want more information about the BCIM’s mission, or if you’re interested in applying for BCIM certification, contact the ABPS. As a nationally recognized board certification entity, we welcome applications from internists who have been previously certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association.

If you want more information about the BCIM’s mission, or if you’re interested in applying for BCIM certification, contact the ABPS. As a nationally recognized board certification entity, we welcome applications from internists who have been previously certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association.

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