Resident Physicians Deserve a Choice in Board Certification

At the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), we urge resident physicians to research their options when the time comes to consider board certification in their area of expertise. There are three primary national multi-specialty certifying organizations in North America, and each organization has its own unique advantages. For this reason, it is essential for a physician to ensure that he or she becomes certified with the Member Board and certifying authority that offers them the best professional opportunities.

It is our belief that resident physicians deserve a choice in board certification, and we have positioned our organization to ensure that our Member Boards lend a voice to our Diplomates. When you choose to pursue board certification with one of our various boards, you will become part of a community of like-minded physician leaders who represent some of the most highly trained and skilled physicians in your area of expertise. We also advocate passionately on behalf of our Diplomates, and have a strong track record of work with credentialing authorities, hiring groups, hospital organizations, and legislators to get our physicians the credit and opportunities they deserve.

Why Physician Specialists Choose the ABPS Board Certification

Choosing the ABPS for board certification means you will be part of a community of talented physicians committed to delivering world-class medical care. While our certification process is rigorous, achieving certification opens doors to expanded career opportunities through our extensive collaborations with credentialing authorities, hospital leaders, and legislators. As an ABPS Diplomate, you will receive ongoing education that will foster improved patient care and help to advance your medical specialty.

ABPS Mission: Board Certification That Leads to Better Patient Care

The fundamental mission of the ABPS is to ensure that patients receive the best possible medical care. In addition to benefiting patients, however, ABPS certification also boosts the reputations of hospitals and clinics. Having board-certified physicians on staff sends a positive message about a hospital or clinic’s credentials. ABPS certification also means that hospitals may confidently consider ABPS Diplomates to fill leadership roles, and as leaders, these respected physicians will be in a position to shape the medical profession for years to come. In short, hiring board-certified physicians makes good business sense, plus it fulfills the first duty of any healthcare organization—to provide the best care available.

At present, the ABPS has 12 distinct Member Boards that offer board certification and recertification in 18 different specialties to highly qualified physician candidates. A complete list of each of our Member Boards can be found here.

The eligibility requirements for certification with ABPS differ from specialty to specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards share certain general eligibility requirements such as having completed an accredited residency and having an unrestricted medical license. Also, in keeping with our commitment to helping provide a high level of medical care that ensures patient safety, the ABPS is the only multi-specialty that requires its Diplomates to complete a medical ethics course to earn recertification.

Learn More About Physician Board Certification Through the ABPS

If you are interested in learning about the advantages to pursuing board certification with the American Board of Physician Specialties, contact us today. We will be glad to explain the benefits of board certification with any of our Member Boards, walk you through our various eligibility requirements, and answer any questions that you may have.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
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.

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