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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
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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
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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 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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ABMS Conference 2026 Opening Plenary Banner featuring headshot images of speakers Dr Lucey Dr Song and Dr Theodorou Plenary title is The Evolving Medical Workforce Landscape From Unionization to Private Equity Practice Ownership
Opening Plenary Announced

The Evolving Medical Workforce Landscape — From Unionization to Private Equity Practice Ownership

The medical profession is experiencing a variety of workforce changes — from the increasing prevalence of private equity practice ownership to the growing union movement among trainees and physicians. This session will explore the implications of these changes in the practice of medicine, the training environment, and hospital and health system staffing needs, as well as the impact on physician certification, professional self-regulation, and the growing issue of physician shortages.

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Save the Date

The American Board of Medical Specialties is pleased to announce ABMS Conference 2026 will be held September 16–18, 2026 at the Loews O’Hare Hotel.

The ABMS Conference is the premier health care conference on board certification. This annual conference convenes more than 400 professionals from across the health care community who focus on assessment, lifelong learning, improvement, research and professionalism.

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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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