The Purpose of Physician Board Recertification Through the ABPS

Physician Board RecertificationThe purpose of physician board recertification is closely related to the reasons why a physician would seek to achieve board certification in a particular specialty or specialties in the first place. That is, to demonstrate a mastery of the knowledge and skills required to provide patients the best possible care.

Providing a reliable measurement of competence in a given specialty is merely the broad purpose of board certification. Embedded within that broad purpose are many specific and compelling reasons a physician should seek to achieve board certification and recertification in a chosen specialty. The purposes of physician board recertification include the following:

  • Recertification enables a physician to maintain his or her mastery of their specialty and enhance his or her professional image.
  • Board recertification and certification have come to be expected by some medical groups, hospitals, managed care companies and knowledgeable consumers.
  • Board certification, while not mandatory, is required by many employers.

In addition, physician board recertification, through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), provides Diplomates with:

  • Unlimited board certification verification and attestation
  • Public confirmation
  • Use of the ABPS Certification mark
  • Participation in Member Board development and governance
  • Complimentary membership in the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS)
  • Membership in a specialty Academy of Medicine
  • Career networking opportunities

A National Network of Physicians

When you become recertified through the ABPS, you’ll join a nationwide group of skilled and committed doctors who collaborate to enhance patient care and support their medical fields. As an ABPS Diplomate, you’ll be a respected member of the medical community. Because we focus on giving our Diplomates a voice, we have a strong record of working closely with healthcare organizations, lawmakers, hospital associations, and others to ensure that the contributions and insights of our board-certified doctors are acknowledged and valued.

Requirements for ABPS Recertification

To become recertified through ABPS, you must provide documentation of your ABMS or AOA certification, which must be current or no more than two years past the expiration date. Additionally, you may begin the recertification application process as early as two years before your current certification expires. To recertify with the ABPS you must also:

  • Complete a non-remedial medical ethics course
  • Certify annually that their medical licenses are full and unrestricted in every state in which they practice
  • Pass a 100-question, securely administered written exam in the final year of the eight-year certification cycle

To learn more about the importance of physician board recertification, or to register for recertification, contact the ABPS today. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the AAPS, Inc.

 

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House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
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June 10-15, 2022
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.

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