For Patients

For PatientsThe American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) has established stringent standards for board certification with the ultimate goal of facilitating exceptional medical care for patients. While board certification is not required for physicians to become practitioners, those who take the extra step with the ABPS must meet our strict eligibility requirements and pass rigorous testing. As a result, only the most skilled and dedicated physicians earn ABPS certification.

Consulting a physician specialist for a health issue can be an anxious time for patients, and they deserve to know if their doctor is qualified to provide them with the treatment they need. To that end, ABPS certification instills patients with confidence. As a nationally recognized distinction, it assures patients that a physician has mastered the core competencies required to provide safe and compassionate care in a particular specialty and at the highest level.

We Put Patients First

Physicians certified by the ABPS represent some of the best medical minds, and practice their specialties at some of the most respected institutions in North America. Guided by the ABPS code of ethics, our physicians are committed to providing impartial patient care, with no special privileges based on an individual’s race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or handicap.

In sharp contrast to much of the standards today, the ABPS emphasizes patient care over the business of medicine. Our certified specialists are continually assessing the shortcomings in the healthcare system and work diligently to find practical solutions while advocating publicly for exceptional patient care. At the ABPS, the health and well-being of patients are always of the utmost priority.

Is your physician certified? Use our public lookup system to find out.

What Is ABPS?

The American Board of Physician Specialties is a nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying body that offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians certification in a range of specialties. While certification is a voluntary process, its achievement represents an abiding commitment to patient care and is one of the highest honors that physicians can receive. We certified our first physician in 1960, and our Diplomates can now be found across all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

Administrative Medicine
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Anesthesiology
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Dermatology
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Diagnostic Radiology
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Disaster Medicine
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Emergency Medicine
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Family Medicine
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Family Medicine Obstetrics
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General Surgery
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Geriatric Medicine
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Hospital Medicine
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Integrative Medicine
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Internal Medicine
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Interventional Pain Management
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Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Ophthalmology
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Orthopedic Surgery
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Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
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Psychiatry
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Radiation Oncology
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Urgent Care Medicine
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House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
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June 10-15, 2022
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.

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
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