Committed to a Higher Professional Standard to Deliver Better Patient Care

The Most Trusted Medical Specialty Certification Organization

Since 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has earned the public’s trust by setting a higher standard of professionalism and care for physicians and specialists.

We represent 24 certifying boards and nearly one million active board certified physicians who are aiming higher to better serve their patients, families, and communities.

Board certification helps:

  • Physicians and specialists demonstrate their competence and professionalism throughout their careers
  • Health care organizations in selecting staff to help achieve their quality and safety goals
  • The public feel assured they are being cared for by someone committed to their health and well-being

Learn about ABMS board certification and how ABMS serves the public and the profession.

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For Patients

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For Patients

Find out if your doctor is ABMS board certified and why it is important to your care

Certification Matters
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For Patients

Find out if your doctor is ABMS board certified and why it is important to your care

Certification Matters
For Credentialers Link
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For Credentialers

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For Credentialers

Make your physician certification verification process easy and efficient with a suite of options from ABMS Solutions

ABMS Solutions
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For Credentialers

Make your physician certification verification process easy and efficient with a suite of options from ABMS Solutions

ABMS Solutions
For Physicians Link
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For Physicians & Specialists

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For Physicians & Specialists

Learn more about board certification, why it’s important to your practice, and how it supports your professional development

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For Physicians & Specialists

Learn more about board certification, why it’s important to your practice, and how it supports your professional development

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For Health Care Organizations

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For Health Care Organizations

Get to know ABMS and how we can be an important resource to your organization and members

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For Health Care Organizations

Get to know ABMS and how we can be an important resource to your organization and members

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ABMS Portfolio Program

As an ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor, you can help your physicians, medical specialists, and PAs earn continuing certification credit toward their QIPS requirements.

BECOME A SPONSOR

ABMS Visiting Scholars Program

An opportunity for early-career physicians and researchers to develop your leadership skills and research while contributing to the advancement of specialty certification.

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Assessment Development & Delivery

ABMS AssessLink provides expert services to develop and deliver assessment programs for certification, learning, and professional development.

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Register by July 31 and Save!

ABMS Conference 2025 Registration Is Open

ABMS Conference 2025 is the premier health care conference on board certification with a focus on assessment, lifelong learning, improvement, and professionalism. View the full schedule, meet our speakers, and register now!

Register Early and Save

2025 REF Grant Winners

ABMS REF Announces Recipients of 2025 Research Grants

In its second year, the program awarded two-year grants representing $300,000 in funding and is part of a continued commitment by the ABMS REF to support research into the process of achieving and maintaining high certification standards.

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ABMS Insights Summer 2025 Edition
The Professionalism Issue

ABMS Insights Summer 2025

To say that professionalism is a shared value across ABMS and its 24 Member Boards is an understatement. Professionalism is a tenet of ABMS board certification and is an indicator of expertise and trustworthiness by members of both the public and medical community.

In this edition of ABMS Insights, read more about how ABMS and its Member Boards are committed to preserving and promoting professionalism and the standards of specialty medical care.

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ABMS publishes review of board certification data

Research Supports the Value of Certification

Substantial evidence demonstrates the positive association between ABMS Member Board certification and patient safety, health care costs, disciplinary actions, and clinical outcomes. Recent examples include A Narrative Review of the Development and Outcomes of ABMS Member Board Continuing Certification Programs.

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National Defense Authorization Act Recognizes ABMS Member Boards in New Legislation Defining Physician Certification Organizations

Act Establishes Standards for Recognition of Physician Certifying Bodies

ABMS Member Boards designated by the Defense Health Agency as physician certifying organizations, naming the 24 ABMS Member Boards as organizations that meet the newly approved criteria.

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