Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Important ABPS Facts for Physician Board Certification Candidates

Important ABPS Facts for Physician Board Certification CandidatesAs a physician, you’ve dedicated many years of your life to become the medical professional you are today. Your rigorous medical school and postgraduate training, and the thorough approval process from your state’s licensing board—all of that is behind you. But, now, you’ve realized that to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive medical environment, your next logical step is to pursue board certification. But which certification body do you choose?

The American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) believes you have the right to choose a board that aligns with your values, a board that can offer you the widest range of professional opportunities. As a nationally recognized choice for physician board certification, we believe that more choices foster increased competition, which results in innovation and advancement that results in improved patient care.

We think our Diplomates, as well the growing number of respected healthcare institutions that hire them, would certainly agree. As members of a trusted community of like-minded professionals, ABPS Diplomates are considered leaders in their fields wherever they practice, which is to say all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

ABPS: A Nationally Recognized Physician Certification Board

As you narrow down your board certification options, here are a few salient facts about the ABPS to consider:

  • We have 12 Member Boards that offer certification in a variety of specialties, from primary care fields such as family medicine and internal medicine to innovative specialties such as integrative medicine and family medicine obstetrics.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook was revised to include the ABPS as a choice for board certification.
  • Various state medical boards have retained strict language that accepts and recognizes the ABPS as a recognized certifying entity that meets the higher certification standards they require.
  • ABPS certification exams, procedures, and protocols are clinically, psychometrically, and legally defensible, and have been found to be equivalent to those set by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
  • Leading credentialing organizations such as Greely, HCPro, and the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) recognize the ABPS as a choice in physician certification.

ABPS Board Certification Standards

To apply for ABPS certification, candidates need to meet general requirements and specialty-specific eligibility criteria set by our boards. These criteria vary by specialty but are designed to show expertise in core competencies. As noted above, the ABPS emphasizes psychometrically evaluated testing, in addition to advanced training, moral character, and experience.

Certification in each specialty involves a written exam with multiple-choice questions. Some specialties also require an oral exam to showcase diagnostic and treatment skills. All ABPS certifications cover the essential technical knowledge and skills relevant to each medical specialty. Recertification standards depend on the specialty board.

ABPS Code of Ethics

The ABPS is the only major certifying body that requires a non-remedial medical ethics course every eight years. With the ABPS code of ethics as an indispensable guide in their medical practice, our Diplomates:

  • Maintain an unimpeachable standard of personal conduct
  • Uphold the laws and regulations related to the practice of medicine
  • Utilize only legal and ethical means to care for patients
  • Provide impartial patient care, offering no special privileges based on a patient’s race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or handicap
  • Maintain the confidentiality of privileged patient information
  • Accept no personal compensation from any party that would require special consideration in how patient care is provided
  • Cooperate in every reasonable way with other physicians to deliver quality patient care

If you would like more information about the ABPS, why not contact us today? We will gladly provide you with information about our Member Boards, our eligibility requirements, and our certification process.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
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
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact