Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Interventional Pain Management Eligibility Requirements

Updated April 2023

To be eligible for certification in Interventional Pain Management through the Board of Certification in Anesthesiology (BCA), the applicant must:

ABPS General Requirements:

  1. Be in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the American Board of Physician Specialties, be known in his/her community as an ethical member of the profession, and be an active specialist in Interventional Pain Management.
  2. Be a graduate of a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine. International graduates must also hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  3. Hold a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

Interventional Pain Management Training and Experience:

  1. Residency – All applicants must have completed an Anesthesiology residency program approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
  2. Training and Experience – must qualify under one of the following:
    1. Hold current certification in Anesthesiology through ABMS, ABPS, or AOA, AND have been actively practicing interventional pain management for a minimum of two (2) years, OR 
    2. Must have completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Pain Management or Regional Anesthesia.
  3. Active Practice – Verify active practice in interventional pain management by means of a letter on facility letterhead detailing active privileges, the period of service, and signed by of the Chief of Department, Chief of Staff, or Chair of Credentialing Committee
  4. Procedure Ledger – Candidates must complete and submit a procedure ledger, attesting to the types and number of procedures performed in the twelve-month period preceding the application, using this FORM.
  5. Continuing Education – Submit documentation of a minimum of [30] hours of continuing medical education (CME) in Pain Management earned within the last two years from the date of application. CME reported must be documented by copies of the CME certificates or a transcript from the granting organization. For applicants within two years of residency/fellowship completion at the date of application submission, no CME is required.

Additional Application Requirements:

  1. Provide two (2) Letters of Recommendation from Diplomates of any ABPS, ABMS, AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC Board of Certification. All letters of recommendation must be signed by the author, printed on letterhead, dated within the twelve month period just  prior to the submission of the application, and must include author contact and board certification information.
  2. All U.S. physicians must perform a self-query of the National Practitioner Data Bank and submit the report. Get your self-query report at www.npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov. All Canadian physicians must request a Testament Statement from each province in which a license is held verifying that there have been no disciplinary actions against the applicant.
  3. Submit a current curriculum vitae, which includes medical school, degrees earned, and work experience, in chronological order.
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.

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
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
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact