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What Is BCFM?

What Is BCFM? The Board of Certification in Family Medicine (BCFM) offers qualified and experienced allopathic and osteopathic physicians a chance to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in family medicine through board certification. The BCFM is a Member Board of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), one of three nationally distinguished physician board certifying bodies.

To be eligible for certification with the BCFM, a physician must satisfy the prerequisites common to all ABPS Member Boards. These include an unrestricted and current medical license for every state in which the physician is licensed, adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, and a prescribed amount of experience in the physician’s chosen specialty.

The BCFM has its own eligibility requirements, which include successful completion of a family medicine residency approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Applicants who have completed a family medicine residency accepted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are also eligible to apply. All applicants must also submit at least 10 documented reports for family medicine cases in which they assumed the lead role during the 12 months prior to applying with the BCFM.

To earn BCFM certification, candidates must pass a clinically-based, written exam that covers 33 family medicine subject areas. Diplomates of the BCFM develop and validate the exam questions under the direction of psychometric consultants and the ABPS. The areas most represented on the exam are cardiovascular diseases, dermatology, geriatrics, pediatrics, and signs and symptoms of diseases.

To learn more about the certification in family medicine through the BCFM, contact the ABPS. We would be happy to give you more information about the BCFM’s eligibility requirements as well as helpful details on how to prepare for the certification exam.

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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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