Eligibility Requirements for Emergency Medicine Board Certification
The American Board of Physician Specialties’ eligibility requirements for emergency medicine board certification are among the most rigorous in the nation. This approach is in keeping with the ABPS mission to ensure the best possible care for patients, as well as to provide eligible emergency physicians a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate a mastery of the core competencies necessary to practice emergency medicine at the highest level.
To be considered for emergency medicine board certification through the ABPS, emergency physicians must be willing to comply with the ABPS code of ethics. They also can achieve eligibility through one of the three following options:
- 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
- Satisfactorily complete one of the primary care residencies listed above
- Complete a BCEM-approved emergency medicine graduate training program of 24 months; or complete a 12-month graduate training program and practice emergency medicine for 12 months before or after completing the program
Physicians who seek to earn certification through the ABPS Board of Certification for Emergency Medicine (BCEM) must verify staff privileges via documentation from the administrators of all emergency facilities where privileges are held. Also, applicants for emergency medicine board certification must submit documented reports for a minimum of 10 emergency cases from the past 12 months for which the applicant held the lead management role.
These are only a few examples of eligibility and application requirements that demonstrate the depth of knowledge and experience the BCEM requires prior to consideration. For more information, contact the ABPS today. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.