ABPS Response to COVID-19
March 31, 2020 Update
Although COVID-19 has changed how we do our work it has not prevented us from continuing to work on your behalf. Our AAPS and ABPS staff continue to work remotely. We have received numerous inquiries and concerns regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our office as well as on upcoming events. Please know that we are responding to your communications as quickly as possible and are constantly reevaluating upcoming events such as our annual meeting. We have been in communication with the Margaritaville Resort, and hope to come to a decision by May. With so much incertitude around the timing of COVID-19, we must adhere to the guidelines provided by the CDC as well as the contractual agreements with the hotel. As you know our environment is fast-changing, we will continue to provide regular updates as we move forward.
Please click here for information and updates on examinations, meetings and other events.
The ABPS is a Recognized Choice for Physician Board Certification

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) is a nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying body that offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians board certification options in a variety of specialties. Because board certification is one of the highest honors that physicians can receive, certification with the ABPS is a rigorous process. In addition to meeting numerous eligibility requirements, candidates must pass a comprehensive specialty certification exam. Together, these requirements ensure that only the most skilled, knowledgeable, and committed physicians become board certified.
As medical knowledge and technology continue to advance, more physicians are narrowing their focus in certain medical subspecialties. Not only that, more hospitals than ever are prioritizing hiring board-certified physicians as a way to differentiate themselves from the competition.
The ABPS believes that, as with other industries, more competition leads to more innovation and improvements. By providing physicians with another recognized choice for board certification besides the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and by being advocates for our Diplomates, we promote competition that can lead to better patient care.
It is essential in today’s competitive marketplace for physicians to choose a board that can offer them the widest range of professional opportunities. At the ABPS, we take a pragmatic approach to certification that enables physicians to gain personal and professional advancement while meeting today’s increasing demands for patient care. It’s no wonder that our Diplomates are considered thoughtful leaders in their specialties and practice in all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.
In addition to being more marketable to employers, ABPS Diplomates:
- Join a distinguished community of physicians dedicated to providing exceptional medical care
- Help to bolster the reputation of medical organizations
- Exchange information about clinical experiences in order to advance their specialties
- Instill patients with confidence that they will receive the best medical care available
The ABPS offers physicians several unique opportunities for board certification. For example, physicians who have extensive experience working in emergency departments, but who completed their residencies in a primary care field, can earn board certification in emergency medicine with the ABPS without needing to complete an additional residency. We’re also committed to emerging public health issues, which is why we’ve developed innovative boards in disaster medicine, integrative medicine, and family medicine obstetrics, among others.
Contact the ABPS to learn more about our eligibility requirements and about the benefits of becoming a member of a community dedicated to delivering medical care that serves as a model for the American healthcare industry.