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Physician Board Certification: the Path to Professional Achievement

Physician Board Certification AchievementWhile physician board certification is voluntary, it is essential and necessary for any physician who wishes to reach his or her full professional potential over the course of a career. Board certified physicians have proven that they possess an elite level of knowledge and experience within a chosen medical specialty, and they are rewarded with better jobs, more responsibility, and a greater level of professional prestige. They are considered leaders in their field, and they have earned the trust and respect of their peers, hiring agents, and patients.

Key Facts About the ABPS

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) believes that qualified physicians deserve every opportunity to enjoy a long, rewarding career commensurate with their ability and commitment. Here are a few other important facts about the ABPS:

  • The ABPS is one of the nation’s leading certifying bodies for both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians.
  • The ABPS has Diplomates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada. We take great pride in setting and sustaining rigorous standards of certification in 18 areas of medical practice.
  • Diplomates of ABPS are graduates of some of the nation’s most prestigious medical schools and have been accepted in practice at some of the country’s top healthcare institutions.
  • ABPS certification is listed on Healthgrades and is officially recognized by state licensing authorities as well as federal programs such as the Veterans Health Administration and United States Armed Forces under the GI Bill, as well as The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  • In addition, all Diplomates and applicants have been primary source verified by Aperture, an accredited Credentials Verification Organization (CVO) by both The Joint Commission and National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
  • ABPS is one of three nationally recognized multi-specialty physician certifying organizations.

ABPS Certification Serves as a Career Investment

The ABPS encourages qualified physicians of all ages, ethnicities and economic backgrounds to study the career advantages of becoming board certified within a specialty. Any physician who has achieved board certification through one of our Member Boards has proven, through written or oral testing, that he or she has earned the right to be considered an accomplished leader in the medical community. It is an investment in themselves, a big step along the path of professional achievement and a demonstration that they possess the knowledge and experience required to provide the best possible medical care.

What Sets ABPS Apart from Other Certification Boards?

At ABPS, we’re proud to be the only multi-specialty certifying board in the United States that offers certification in emerging fields like family medicine obstetrics, disaster medicine, and integrative medicine. Moreover, we provide a distinct pathway for emergency medicine physicians to achieve certification in their field. Previously, those specializing in primary care but excelling in emergency room expertise couldn’t get emergency medicine certification. Our innovative emergency medicine fellowship program now offers these doctors an ideal route to obtain EM certification. ABPS is committed to advancing medical specialties and recognizing outstanding physicians in specialized areas.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

The ABPS maintains stringent eligibility requirements. These requirements differ from specialty to specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards share certain requirements, including:

  • Being in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the ABPS, being known in the community as an ethical member of the profession, and being an active practitioner in the specialty for which you’re seeking certification
  • Having graduated from 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.
  • Holding a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

To learn more, contact the ABPS. The ABPS is the official multi-specialty certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

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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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