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Disaster Medicine Recertification

An ABODM Diplomate is required to recertify every eight years after initial board certification. In order to qualify for recertification, an ABODM Diplomate must:

  1. Submit a Disaster Medicine recertification application form, along with payment of appropriate fee. Refer to the recertification fee schedule*.
  2. Be in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), be known in his/her community as an ethical member of the profession, and be active in Disaster Medicine.
  3. Submit documentation of CME hours: an average of 50 Category 1 CME hours per year, of which a minimum of 15 hours must be related to the field of Disaster Medicine, and the remainder of which shall be in a clinically-related field, as approved by the ABODM.
    1. Complete 4 CME credits of ABPS-Approved Medical Ethics – Approved courses include ABPS-sponsored courses or presentations designated as Medical Ethics credit OR must contain the term “Medical Ethics” in the title or syllabus of the course, must be intended for physicians, and cannot be the same course taken multiple times to meet the 4 credit requirement.

 **Documentation is required for ALL CME.  CME can be documented by individual certificates, CME summaries from the granting organization, or CME summaries from a third-party source that has seen the original documentation (such as AOA, an AMA Academy, or your hospital’s record department).  CME hours utilized for each physician’s state and hospital requirements may be applied towards meeting the CME requirements.

  1. Continuous Competency in Certification® (CCC) Requirements -Diplomates with certificates expiring in 2015 and later shall complete an average of 25 credits of ongoing evidence of continued competency each year over the eight year cycle in any combination of the following areas:
    1. Field Deployment in Disaster Medicine, to include Local, State, or Federal agencies in Disaster Medicine, or other applicable fields such as, but not limited to, Tactical Medicine or Wilderness Medicine. Credits for this category must be documented and may include:
      1. Field deployment with approved local, state, federal, or international agencies,
      2. Field training exercises with approved local, state, federal, or international agencies,
      3. Serving as an officer in approved local, state, federal, or international organizations,
      4. Field training in the practice of medicine in international venues,
      5. Development of field training principles in student Disaster Medical chapters or student disaster organizations,
      6. Other field related activities as reviewed and approved by the ABODM.  **Approved Field Deployment credits will be granted for each hour served.
    2. Scholarly Contributions in Disaster Medicine, or other applicable fields such as, but not limited to, Tactical Medicine or Wilderness Medicine.  Credits for this category must be documented and may include:
      1. Presentations or Workshops given at an ABPS or AADM sponsored CME program, or sponsored CME programs approved by ABPS, AOA, AMA, or RCPSC,
      2. Publication of a chapter in field manuals, textbooks, or other written or electronic resources in Disaster Medicine,
      3. Publications of scholarly papers in any ABPS or AADM journal, or other journals reviewed and approved by the ABODM,
      4. Teaching principles of Disaster Medicine or training with approved Universities, or local, state, federal, or international agencies,
      5. Developing field exercises or simulation programs in Disaster Medicine,
      6. Other scholarly activities as reviewed and approved by the ABODM.  **Scholarly credits will be granted on the following basis:  Each approved workshop or presentation – 10 credits;  Each approved published chapter or article – 20 credits;  All other scholarly activities will be granted one credit for each hour of activity.  Credits may be earned for other scholarly activities as reviewed and approved by the ABODM.
  2. Written Recertification Examination Requirements – In lieu of the Continuous Competency in Certification® (CCC) requirements described in Sections 4. A., B., and C. above, candidates may choose to successfully pass an ABODM Written Recertification Examination every eight (8) years.  Diplomates who choose to recertify under this option should plan to recertify eight (8) years after the initial certification or recertification date.
  3. Provide a copy of current, unrestricted medical license in either the United States or Canada with expiration date.
  4. Candidates must be current with all annual certification maintenance fees.
  5. All ABODM Diplomates must annually certify that all their licenses to practice medicine are full and unrestricted, and they have not been convicted of a felony. In addition, all Diplomates must advise ABODM and ABPS, in writing within 30 days, of any change to their licensure status.

Diplomates who select the option to recertify by completing the CCC requirements (Option 4) must submit the application and all other required documentation, including documentation of the credits described in 4. A., B., and C., by December 1 of the year their current certification expires.  Diplomates who choose to recertify under this option will also be required to continue to recertify on a bi-annual basis.

Diplomates who select the option to recertify by examination (Option 5) must submit the application and all other required documentation by the published application deadline for taking the recertification examination before the current certification expires.

PDF IconDownload Board Recertification Application 

To learn more about American Journal of Disaster Medicine, click here and for AJDM subscription information, click here.

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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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