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Why Certify With the American Board of Physician Specialties?

A middle-aged physician with a stethoscope around his neckBecause board certification is a voluntary process, its achievement represents an exceptional commitment to patient care on the part of the physician. At the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS), our certification standards are high and our exams are notably rigorous. This is the way it should be given that certification and recertification serve to validate a physician’s skills and knowledge.

The ABPS takes a pragmatic approach to certification, enabling physicians to gain personal and professional advancement while meeting today’s increasing demands for patient care. For example, physicians who have extensive experience working in emergency departments, but who completed their residencies in a primary care field, can earn board certification in emergency medicine through the ABPS without needing to complete an additional residency. We’re also well-versed in emerging public health issues, which is why we’ve developed innovative boards in disaster medicine, integrative medicine, and family medicine obstetrics, among others.

The ABPS Works to Give You a Meaningful Voice in the Medical Community

As a tireless advocate for our Diplomates, the ABPS works with legislators, healthcare organizations, hospital groups, and other decision-makers in the healthcare industry. It’s no surprise that our Diplomates have a strong voice within the community, sharing best practices, success stories, and learning moments to improve patient care. When healthcare organizations recognize ABPS certification, they vastly improve their chances of hiring imminently qualified physician specialists from a range of medical fields.

You Have a Choice

Physicians and residents alike need to know they have a choice when it comes to board certification and recertification. Just as with other industries, having a choice for certification fosters competition, which is one of the core principles of the American economy. Competition among certification boards can lead to better healthcare, more innovation, and lower prices.

There is no shortage of prestige or relevance when you earn certification with the ABPS. We are a nationally recognized multi-specialty certifying body with Diplomates practicing their specialties in prestigious institutions across the United States, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. As part of our non-discriminatory approach to certification, both allopathic- and osteopathic-trained physicians are eligible for ABPS certification. Physicians certified with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) are eligible to recertify with us.

ABPS Board Certification Is Challenging, But the Rewards Are Plentiful

The ABPS application process is notably rigorous. Candidates for certification must meet several eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive specialty exam. Once certified, physicians must complete several hours of continuing medical education annually. It’s no wonder that only the most dedicated and talented physicians achieve certification through the ABPS. That they are also widely viewed as leaders in their fields is also not surprising. As for other career benefits, consider that certification with an ABPS Member Board:

  • Makes physicians more marketable to potential employers
  • Enables physicians to gain opportunities for career advancement, which can lead to increased earning potential
  • Fosters recognition and respect from medical colleagues
  • Can give patients peace of mind that their physician is uniquely qualified to deliver top-notch medical care.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

The eligibility requirements for certification with ABPS differ from specialty to specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards share certain general eligibility requirements such as:

  • Completion of an accredited residency
  • Attestation of an unrestricted medical license
  • Completion of a non-remedial medical ethics course
  • Completion of between 15 and 50 hours annually of continuing medical education for recertification

For more information about our eligibility requirements or the advantages of ABPS certification, contact us today.

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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
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