How Patients Can Confirm a Physician has Achieved ABPS Board Certification

Internal MedicineIf you are a physician who has received a request from a patient to confirm board certification in a particular specialty, or if you are a patient who would like to do so independently, the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is pleased to provide complimentary online verification for patients on this website.  The ABPS online verification system also provides the opportunity to request written verification of a physician’s board certification for medical professionals, managed care organizations, hospitals, and health care agencies.

Verifying a Physician’s Certification Status Is Easy

At the ABPS, we believe that patients should have the right to choose a provider whose expertise they can trust, just as physicians have the right to choose a certification board that aligns with their values. In order for a patient to confirm a physician’s board certification credentials using our online system, a patient can access the form here, then click on the “Look up a Provider” link under Public Inquiries. Then, the patient should input the physician’s last and first names into the appropriate fields. If the first name is not available, or they’re unsure of the exact spelling, a partial name will return a matching list of physicians, from which the patient may choose the correct result. Clicking on a physician’s name will reveal that physician’s list of all current ABPS board certifications.

Our Database Lists Active ABPS Diplomates

The ABPS public confirmation database contains only physicians with unexpired, active ABPS board certifications. If you are unable to confirm board certification for your physician, or if the name you seek is not on the list, the reason could be:

  • The physician’s board certification was achieved through another multi-specialty certifying body.
  • The physician’s ABPS certification has expired, and the physician has not sought recertification.
  • The physician’s status has been recently updated (you may see a message to contact ABPS for more information).
  • The physician is not an active Diplomate of the ABPS.

Representatives of healthcare organizations and agencies who seek written verification of board certification credentials will need to click here for the ABPS Online Verification Database. When you first access the database, you’ll be required to set up a CVO account for your organization. From then on, you’ll only need to enter your username and password to log in. Once you find the physician you’re looking for using their last name, first name, or UPIN (Unique Physician Identification Number), you can view limited information about them. If you wish to purchase the full profile, it will cost $40 and will be billed to the credit card linked to the user account.

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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