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What Lawmakers Need to Know About Physician Board Certification

Physician Board CertificationBoard certification is a highly regarded metric for identifying physicians who have demonstrated mastery of their chosen field. Yet, it isn’t just patients who value board certification. Local, state, and federal lawmakers are also increasingly including language in healthcare legislation that specifically defines board certified physicians. At the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we support any legislation that benefits the public and our Diplomates throughout North America, but we also urge lawmakers to remember that there are three nationally recognized physician multi-specialty certifying bodies in the country: the ABMS, the ABPS, and the AOA. Any definition of board certification that does not include all three is unintentionally discriminating a significant number of physician leaders in North America.

The American Board of Physician Specialties is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists. We have Diplomates in all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, and since we were founded in the mid-20th century, we have established a sterling reputation in the healthcare community. In order to become board certified, our physicians must meet our stringent eligibility requirements and successfully complete a standardized examination process. In short, our board certified physicians represent some of the best and the brightest in the health care industry and have repeatedly proven themselves to their peers, employers, and patients, which is why we are so committed to ensuring that our Diplomates have equal opportunities as their counterparts in the ABMS and AOA.

Our message to lawmakers is this: When defining board certification in any legislation that establishes eligible providers and/or standards of certification, be sure to include all three nationally recognized physician multi-specialty certifying bodies listed here. Healthcare policy is too important to inadvertently neglect some of the most highly trained and experienced professionals in the industry.

If you have any questions about board certification, the ABPS, or the credentials of our Diplomates, please contact us 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.

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
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
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