Update on American Board of Physician Specialties for Medical Staff Professionals

Board certification has long been a trusted metric that medical staff professionals use to identify physicians who have the knowledge and expertise to provide high-quality medical care. As one of the premier physician-certifying entities in North America, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) offers both allopathic and osteopathic physicians board certification and recertification in 20 different specialties. Founded in 1952, we certified our first physician in 1960, and today our Diplomates can now be found across all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

To help medical staff professionals ensure that physician candidates for open positions have the appropriate credentials, here are a few salient facts about the ABPS:

  • The U.S. Department of Labor and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognize the ABPS as a leading choice for physician certification and re-certification.
  • The ABPS partners with Aperture Credentialing, LLC, one of the country’s largest and most experienced certification verification organizations, to confirm the credentials of our Diplomates.
  • We take a pragmatic approach to certification, enabling qualified physicians who completed their residencies in a primary care field to earn board certification in emergency medicine without needing to complete an additional residency in EM.
  • The ABPS emphasizes psychometrically evaluated testing as well as advanced training, moral character, and experience.
  • The ABPS requires a recertification exam every 8 years.
  • We are the only multi-specialty certification board that requires our Diplomates to complete a non-remedial medical ethics program to achieve recertification.
  • Well-versed in emerging public health issues, we’ve developed innovative boards in disaster medicine, integrative medicine, and family medicine obstetrics, among others.
  • Our Diplomates receive ongoing education that fosters improved patient care and helps to advance their medical specialties.

If you would like more information about the ABPS and our mission to offer the highest standards in physician board certification that meets the healthcare needs of the public, contact the ABPS.

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.

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
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