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Physician Board Certification in Internal Medicine Through the ABPS

Internal Medicine Certification

Physician board certification in Internal Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is an opportunity for successful candidates to demonstrate their mastery of the experience and knowledge necessary to provide the best possible care for patients. It also reveals a professional commitment to abide by the ABPS’s medical code of ethics.

Internal Medicine board certification is governed by the affiliated Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM).

Standards for BCIM Physician Certification

In addition to general internal medicine, the subject areas covered on the physician board certification exam for Internal Medicine include:

  • Allergy and immunities
  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Genetic disorders
  • Hematology
  • Infectious disease
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Pulmonary and critical care
  • Rheumatology

The standards set forth by the ABPS are as indisputably rigorous as you’ll find with any multi-specialty board certification body in the nation. The exam questions are developed and validated by Diplomates of the BCIM under the direction of the ABPS and psychometric consultants. To earn BCIM certification, candidates must pass this computer-based written exam, which includes 200 multiple-choice questions. You can find details on application dates and exam fees here.

BCIM Certifies the Best and Brightest

Internists who succeed on the challenging, clinically-oriented BCIM certification exam have proven their mastery of the fundamental concepts of internal medicine and the skills necessary for outstanding patient care. BCIM physicians belong to a driven community of professionals who exchange best practices and keep each other informed about career opportunities. To understand the breadth of BCIM’s recognition, note that its Diplomates are spread throughout the country, practicing their specialty in some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the nation. As BCIM Diplomates, internists can count on the ABPS to advocate vigorously for them with practice management groups, legislators, and certifying bodies, ensuring they have a significant presence and voice in their professional community.

Eligibility Requirements for Internal Medicine Certification with the BCIM

To qualify for certification with the BCIM, an internal medicine physician must hold an unrestricted medical license in each state where they are licensed. Additional requirements for eligibility include:

  • A curriculum vitae detailing medical school experiences and degrees obtained.
  • Graduation from a medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or the Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools.
  • Successful completion of an internal medicine residency accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the AOA. Residencies recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are also accepted.
  • Two letters of recommendation from Diplomates of the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.

To learn more about the exam formulation or candidate requirements for ABPS physician board certification in Internal Medicine, contact us 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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