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Review all the eligibility requirements for board certification in your specialty.
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Find out about the exam dates and fees for initial certification.
Recertification Requirements
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Examination Description
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2020 Examination Schedule
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2020 Examination Schedule Information
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Exam Development Administration Reporting
Exam Development Administration Reporting: Learn how certification exams for Member Boards of the ABPS are developed.
Emergency Medicine Fellowships
Primary care trained physicians can earn emergency medicine certification through recognized fellowships.
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ABPS has been providing certification in Emergency Medicine for more than 30 years.
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Board of Certification in  Emergency Medicine (BCEM)

The emergency medicine board certification exams offered by the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) enables a successful candidate to present to the public as a qualified medical specialist in emergency medicine. Successfully completion of the exams indicates mastery of emergency medicine experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.

The Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) has its own eligibility requirements that include:

  • Completing an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency, or a residency recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), in emergency medicine
  • Submitting a current curriculum vitae that includes medical school, degrees earned, and work experience, in chronological order
  • Completing an ACGME-, AOA-, or RSPSC-accredited Primary Care residency AND a minimum of five years and 7,000 hours of emergency department case work
  • Successfully completing both a written and oral examination. The computer-based written exam consists of 325 multiple choice questions. Candidates must pass the written exam in order to take the oral component.

To be eligible to apply for initial board certification in emergency medicine, an applicant must first satisfy the general requirements of the ABPS. These include being a graduate of a recognized U.S. or Canadian allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine and holding a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

For information about dates and fees for the application and the written exam, click here.

Once granted, all ABPS certificates are good for a period of eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year.

Recertification in emergency medicine requires documentation of the required number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours, completion of the recertification application, and successful completion of the written recertification examination.

The ABPS invites qualified applicants to apply for certification in emergency medicine. Throughout the medical industry, BCEM-certified physicians are highly regarded professionals who add to the prestige of their organizations and inspire trust and confidence from their patients.

For more information about certification in emergency medicine through the BCEM, contact the ABPS today.

Featured News
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The American Board of Physicians Specialties (ABPS) Encourages All to Celebrate National Doctors Day on March 30

TAMPA, FLA. The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) comes together with the rest of America to salute our leading healthcare professionals on National Doctors Day, March 30. National Doctors Day is meant for all, including patients, to celebrate the essential role that physicians serve in all our daily lives …

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The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) is pleased to announce its governance for 2022-23

Tampa, FL – The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) is pleased to announce its governance for 2022-23, including its Executive Committee and Member Boards representatives to the Board of Directors. Headquartered in Tampa, FL, AAPS, Inc. is the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). …

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Albert Romanosky, MD, PhD was recently awarded the 2022 AADM Distinguished Service Award by the American Academy of Disaster Medicine® (AADM®)

Tampa, FL – Albert Romanosky, MD, Ph.D. was recently awarded the 2022 AADM Distinguished Service Award by the American Academy of Disaster Medicine® (AADM®). The AADM Award recognizes the vital role physician specialists play in the disaster life cycle – preparation, planning, response, and recovery. According to AADM President Carol …

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We're Committed to Matching Physician Recruiters to ABPS Board Certified Physicians

Medical recruiters can submit job openings to the ABPS Career Center free of charge. Openings are distributed digitally through the ABPS Career Bulletin, a trusted resource for ABPS board-certified physicians and other practitioners considering a career change. Physicians will be able to browse job openings by specialty. The ABPS performs this valuable service as part of our mission to help improve patient care throughout the country.

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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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