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What Does It Mean for a Physician to Earn Board Certification?

Board Certification MeaningBoard certification represents an important level of achievement for a physician. It is a tangible demonstration that she or he has mastered the core competencies necessary to provide the best possible care in a chosen specialty or specialties. It means that he or she has been tested by peers and proven that his or her level of skill and knowledge is at the very top of the medical profession. It also means that the physician not only is qualified, but just might be a perfect fit for a particular job in his or her specialty.

These are all factors that should be considered as a physician thinks about becoming board certified with one or more of the Member Boards of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). Furthermore, physician board certification sends the right message to patients, whose decisions about where to go for healing or health maintenance often depend on the credentials of a hospital or clinic’s physicians.

While most physicians understand the effect board certification has on career development, the less-obvious benefits include:

  • The respect of their peers and the fellowship of practitioners who share best practice techniques and more
  • Added incentive to remain as updated as possible about new techniques and treatment methods in their chosen specialty in order to achieve recertification
  • An opportunity to be viewed as a leader in their chosen specialty, and to shape the course of the medical profession for years to come

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for ABPS Certification?

Eligibility requirements for ABPS certification differ by specialty, but there are common criteria that all ABPS Member Boards require:

  • Compliance with the ABPS Code of Ethics, demonstrating ethical conduct in the profession, and active engagement in the specialty for which certification is sought.
  • Completion of medical education at an accredited U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college.
  • Possession of a valid and unrestricted medical license to practice in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

ABPS Member Boards

If you are a licensed physician looking into board certification, we encourage you to apply to one of our Member Boards.  As a nationally recognized certifying organization, the ABPS has Diplomates across the United States. Our certifications span various specialties, including traditional areas like family medicine and dermatology, as well as newer fields like interventional pain management and integrative medicine. We also provide certification opportunities in specialties such as disaster medicine, family medicine obstetrics, and orthopedic surgery, among others.

Each specialty requires passing a written exam with multiple-choice questions. Some specialties also include an oral exam to test diagnostic and treatment skills. All ABPS certifications assess the essential knowledge and skills needed for each medical specialty. Recertification standards vary depending on the specialty board.

To learn more about the importance and benefits of physician board certification – and why it is so important – contact the ABPS today.

 

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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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