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Internal Medicine Board Certification Eligibility Requirements

Internal Medicine RequirementsThe eligibility requirements vary for physicians to become qualified to seek board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), but there are several base-line requirements that all of the ABPS Member Boards share. These include owning an unrestricted medical license for every state in which the physician is licensed, annual attestation to the currency of those unrestricted medical licenses, adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, and a certain amount of experience within the physician’s chosen field.

In addition, eligibility requirements for those who wish to earn physician certification through the Board of Certification in Internal Medicine (BCIM) include (but are not limited to):

  • Submitting a current curriculum vitae which includes medical school experiences and degrees earned in chronological order
  • Being a graduate of a medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, Liaison Committee for Medical Education, or the Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools
  • Completing an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in Internal Medicine. The ABPS also accepts all residencies recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
  • Submitting  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

In addition, all candidates must agree to a comprehensive background check by the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc., and pay the appropriate fees.

A Reliable, Fair & Accurate Certification Exam

At the ABPS, we believe that board certification should be reserved for physicians who can demonstrate an exceptional level of expertise in their specialty. That’s why we maintain stringent eligibility requirements and have developed rigorous but fair exams that single out the most competent, highly trained, and knowledgeable physicians in their specialty area. To earn BCIM certification, candidates must pass a computer-based written exam that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions administered over a four-hour session.

You can find information about dates and fees for the application and the written exam here.

Once granted, all ABPS certificates are good for a period of eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year.

Recertification in internal medicine requires documentation of the required number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours, completion of the recertification application, and successful completion of the written recertification examination.

Benefits of BCIM Certification

As one of the medical industry’s most coveted honors, board certification is understandably a rigorous process, but once certified, it yields several benefits. When physicians achieve certification with an ABPS Member Board such as the BCIM, they become part of a respected organization dedicated to patient care above all else. ABPS Diplomates:

  • Instill patients with confidence that they will receive the best medical care available
  • Exchange information about clinical experiences in order to advance their specialties and patient care as a whole
  • Enjoy more career opportunities, which can lead to higher earnings
  • Have a voice as a valued member of the healthcare community
  • Receive ongoing education to stay updated on advancements in their specialty

To learn more about the eligibility requirements for becoming a candidate for board certification through the BCIM, contact the ABPS today. The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. ABPS was included in the recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final regulations on a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding the primary care incentive. The incentive program was designed to increase Medicaid compensation for physicians performing primary care and pediatric subspecialist services.

 

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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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