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Successful Fellows from Recognized Family Medicine Obstetrics Programs Are Eligible to Apply for BCFMO Certification

Successful Fellows from Recognized Family Medicine Obstetrics Programs are Eligible to Apply for BCFMO CertificationAn experienced family medicine obstetrician can perform all of the delivery and post-delivery responsibilities associated with the OB/GYN specialty. This was a significant finding in a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Medicine. Healthcare organizations staffed with residency-trained family medicine obstetricians would certainly agree. But, in rural areas and underserved communities, the need for more of these medical professionals persists.

To fill the gap, organizations turn to physicians who have successfully completed a fellowship program in family medicine obstetrics. Despite their advanced level of training, however, these fellows can encounter resistance when it comes to credentialing and privileging. Not only that, but many healthcare organizations are either prioritizing or mandating hiring physicians who are board certified in their specialty.

Benefits of Certification Through the BCFMO

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) has long maintained that effective health care matters, and, as the aforementioned study shows, fellows of graduate training programs can deliver care comparable to OB/GYN specialists. For this reason, the ABPS proudly provides physicians who have completed training in family medicine obstetrics a verifiable way to demonstrate their expertise. By becoming certified through our Member Board, the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics (BCFMO), graduates of recognized fellowships in family medicine obstetrics can solidify their reputation as exceptional healthcare providers and enjoy benefits such as:

  • More opportunities for career advancement, which can lead to higher earnings
  • Recognition and respect from medical colleagues
  • A voice as a valued member of the healthcare community
  • Ongoing education that keeps physicians updated on advancements in family medicine obstetrics

BCFMO Certification Eligibility Requirements

To apply for initial board certification in family medicine obstetrics, candidates must first meet the general requirements set by the ABPS. This involves graduating from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine and holding a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

The BCFMO offers two types of certification: surgical qualification certification and non-surgical certification. Both require completion of an accredited residency and board certification in family medicine.

Candidates for non-surgical certification must also provide a case log demonstrating they have performed at least 60 vaginal deliveries, including 15 in the last two years.

For surgical qualification certification, there are two paths: clinical practice and fellowship.

For the fellowship track, candidates must have completed a recognized 12-month fellowship or extended residency program within the past five years. The clinical track is for physicians who have practiced surgical obstetrics for five years. Candidates for either track must provide a case log demonstrating they have performed at least 60 vaginal deliveries and 70 cesareans, with 15 vaginal and 10 cesareans performed in the last two years.

Once eligible, non-surgical applicants must pass a written examination, and applicants for surgical qualification must pass both a written and an oral examination. These rigorous exams are developed by experts in the field to ensure that only committed physicians skilled in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology become BCFMO-certified. You can find a detailed description of the BCFMO exam here.

Once granted, BCFMO certification is valid for eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year.

For a list of family medicine obstetrics fellowships that meet the rigorous standards of board certification developed by the BCFMO, click here.

The ABPS invites qualified fellows to apply for certification in family medicine obstetrics. As a nationally recognized choice for certification, we are committed to improving healthcare by giving qualified allopathic and osteopathic physicians a path toward board certification in numerous specialties.

To learn more about the BCFMO and its eligibility requirements, contact the ABPS today.

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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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