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Physicians Seeking Certification or Recertification in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Radiology, and Dermatology have a Choice

Board Certification ChoiceAt the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we strongly encourage physicians who are seeking certification or recertification in their specialty area to explore all of their options and find a certifying organization that is aligned with their needs and expectations.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, “To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS).” Physicians owe it to themselves to research each organization thoroughly before making a selection.

All three organizations are highly reputable, have provided board certification and recertification for many decades, and have impeccable reputations in the medical community. Furthermore, the board certification process for each organization is rigorous, thoroughly vetted, and fair, ensuring that physicians who present themselves as board certified are among the most highly qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable specialists in their area of expertise.

Advantages of ABPS Certification

With that said, each organization has its own unique advantages. At the ABPS, for example, we are committed to giving our Diplomates a voice. Our organization works tirelessly to ensure that every physician who has become board certified through our organization has every opportunity for professional success. We have made tremendous progress working with credentialers, legislators, and other decision makers to ensure that ABPS Diplomates are eligible for employment, advancement, and growth in their specialty. As more healthcare organizations prioritize hiring board-certified physicians, certification is a way for current and potential employers to confirm their qualifications, marking them as suitable candidates for career opportunities. Beyond enhancing a physician’s career and potential earnings, ABPS board certification also:

  • Bolsters a physician’s confidence
  • Encourages continual education to keep physicians informed about the latest developments in their field
  • Earns respect and recognition from peers
  • Signals a physician’s dedication to providing exceptional patient care

What Sets ABPS Apart From Other Certification Boards?

At ABPS, we distinguish ourselves as the only multi-specialty certifying board in the United States that offers certification in emerging fields like family medicine obstetrics, integrative medicine, and interventional pain management. We also provide a distinctive certification pathway for career emergency medicine physicians. Traditionally, doctors with primary care backgrounds but substantial emergency room experience were not eligible for emergency medicine certification. However, through our pioneering emergency medicine fellowship program, these physicians can now pursue a specialized track to obtain EM certification. At ABPS, our commitment is to advance medical specialties and offer specialized recognition to outstanding physicians.

We understand that it takes a tremendous commitment to become board certified and we are dedicated to ensuring that our community of Diplomates are in position to work together to share best practices, improve overall patient care, and help the healthcare industry continue to evolve in the 21st century.

A Practical Approach to Physician Board Certification

We adopt a pragmatic approach to certifying physicians that not only advances their personal and professional growth but also meets the escalating demands of patient care. Our Diplomates, recognized as experts in their fields, practice across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Their expertise has caught the attention of major medical groups and professional organizations, prompting them to revise their bylaws and standards to recognize the ABPS.

Whether you specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, anesthesiology, radiology, dermatology, or some other discipline altogether, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the ABPS, explore our eligibility requirements, and learn about the benefits to joining our community. Contact us today for additional information.

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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.

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
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