Board Certification in Emergency Medicine Demonstrates a Physician’s Competency in the Specialty
Board certification in emergency medicine has long been a contentious issue. Should board certification in EM be limited to those who have completed an emergency medicine residency? Or, should board certification in EM also be open to highly qualified and experienced physicians who trained in other, yet closely related, medical disciplines?
Certification demonstrates an EM physician’s competency in the specialty. At ABPS, we believe a doctor who has extensive Emergency Department experience should be granted the opportunity to obtain board certification in emergency medicine provided they have previously completed a residency in a primary care specialty such as:
- Family medicine
- Pediatrics
- Internal medicine
- General surgery
The Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) has been certifying experienced ED doctors since 1988. A widely respected Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties®, the BCEM offers a path to certification for primary care-trained physicians seeking career advancement opportunities. An applicant must have completed a primary care residency accredited by the ACGME, the AOA, or the RCPSC. In addition, if the applicant has not completed a graduate training program approved by the American Academy of Emergency Physicians, he or she may still be eligible for board certification through the BCEM by practicing emergency medicine for a minimum of 7,000 hours over the course of five years.
For additional information with regard to eligibility, the examination process, and the benefits of becoming a BCEM Diplomate, please contact the ABPS today. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.®