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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Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
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.

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