ABPS EM Board Certification for Career Emergency Physicians
The American Board of Physician Specialties (APBS) is committed to providing career emergency medicine practitioners with the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery in their field by earning EM board certification. We believe that the experience and knowledge gained by these dedicated physicians over the years deserves recognition, and that they, too, should have options when it comes to receiving that recognition.
Nationally Recognized Certification for Experienced Emergency Doctors
About 45 percent of the current emergency department workforce nationwide has not completed a residency in emergency medicine, but that should not prevent them from achieving EM board certification. The ABPS and the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) recognize qualified emergency physicians who may have successfully conducted their residencies in primary care specialties. We believe that experience counts.
We also employ rigorous standards for eligibility, which is why our standards are among the most stringent in the nation. This approach places the priority where it should be – on providing the best possible emergency care to patients. Our clinically based EM board certification exams also provide career emergency physicians a meaningful chance to demonstrate the depth of the skill and knowledge they have accumulated over the years.
Eligibility Requirements for Certification With the BCEM
To be considered eligible to apply for EM board certification through the ABPS, emergency physicians must meet the general requirements set by the ABPS. This includes graduating from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic medical school, and holding a valid, unrestricted medical license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. The BCEM has additional specific requirements for three certification paths:
- Option One
- Satisfactorily complete an ACGME, AOA, or RCPSC-accredited emergency medicine residency
- Option Two
- Satisfactorily complete an ACGME, AOA, or RCPSC-accredited primary care residency in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, or general surgery
- Practice emergency medicine full-time for at least five years and a minimum of 7,000 hours
- Option Three
- Complete an ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, CFPC-accredited primary care residency (Primary care specialties include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery) AND complete a 12- or 24-month Emergency Medicine Fellowship approved by the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP)
BCEM Board Certification Exam
To earn BCEM certification, candidates in all three pathways must pass both a written and oral exam. Candidates can sit for the written exam at designated testing centers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This computer-based exam consists of 325 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must pass the written exam to take the oral exam, which is offered virtually.
Once obtained, BCEM certification is valid for eight years, expiring on December 31 of the eighth year.
BCEM Invites Physicians to Apply for Emergency Medicine Certification
If you’ve transitioned from primary care to emergency medicine and have substantial, verifiable experience in the emergency department, you are well-deserved of the opportunity to be recognized as an expert in your field. Board certification serves as a respected marker of a physician’s expertise and is often required for career growth and ongoing employment in numerous healthcare settings. Plus, achieving board certification in your specialty brings a sense of personal pride and professional fulfillment.
For more information about emergency medicine board certification, or for details about eligibility requirements, contact the ABPS today.