The Physician Board Certification Standard
Board Certification is the single most reputable, regarded and trusted indicator of a physician’s expertise and qualifications in his or her area of expertise. In order to become board certified, interested physician candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements, which usually includes the successful completion of a standardized written and, in some cases, oral examination, which seeks to identify physician leaders who have mastered the core concepts and competencies that define their specialty area. For this reason, the standard for board certification must remain unimpeachable because patients, employers and credentialers use this as one of the key indicators of a physician’s qualifications.
Today, there are three multi-specialty physician certifying organizations that offer the same standard of board certification. They are the American Board of Medical Specialties® (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). While each certifying organization has its own advantages, the standard for board certification that they offer are entirely equal. To be board certified through the ABPS, ABMS and AOA carries the exact same weight.
With that said, it is in the best interest of motivated physician candidates to thoroughly research each certifying organization in order to identify the Member Board that best represents their values and priorities. At the ABPS, for example, our Diplomates are part of a like-minded opportunity that are encouraged and supported in their efforts to share best practices, pass along new job opportunities, and help evolve their disciplines. The ABPS also has a sterling reputation for our proactive efforts to ensure that the voices of our Diplomates are heard by healthcare CEOS, credentialers, lawmakers and other stakeholders.
Regardless of the certifying organization that you turn to for board certification, you can be confident that you will be a member of an exclusive club of highly qualified physicians whose credentials have been independently verified and determined to be of the highest standard. To learn more about the eligibility requirements for board certification through the ABPS, and the advantages to becoming board certified through one of our Member Boards, contact us today. The ABPS is the official certifying organization of the American Association of Physician Specialists®.
