How the ABMS Portfolio Program Works

The ABMS Portfolio Program works with many types of health care organizations to recognize the work physicians are already doing to improve their practices and the care of their patients. ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsors support physician involvement in local improvement initiatives by awarding credit for continuing certification from a participating ABMS Member Board.

Physician assistants (PAs) can also participate in the program through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Contact the ABMS Portfolio Program for more information.


Improving Health and Health Care (IHHC) Credit Information Guide
IHHC Credit Information Guide

See the Improving Health and Health Care (IHHC) Credit Information Guide[PDF] to review requirements and find answers to key questions about earning IHHC/Part IV credit for continuing certification (MOC) through the ABMS Portfolio Program. Evidence of participation must be submitted according to the ABMS Portfolio Program meaningful participation requirements for how an activity relates to one’s clinical practice or organizational/leadership role in improving care.


For Physicians, Medical Specialists, and PAs

  1. Search the ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor list to find out if the organization you are affiliated with is part of the program.  
  2. If your organization is not listed, encourage your employer to learn about the program and how to become a Sponsor.
  3. If your organization is listed:
    • Contact the appropriate person within your organization for information on how to participate. Typically, this is the person or department responsible for QI initiatives or CME. See the Sponsor list for the “Contact Sponsor” links.
    • Attest to your meaningful participation as required to receive credit.
    • Sign your attestation and have the project leader or other authority do the same. Submit the attestation to your organization’s ABMS Portfolio Program coordinator.

You are eligible to receive credit if any of the following applies to you.

  • Provide direct or consultative care to patients,
  • Oversee clinical care delivery,
  • Have an organizational leadership role in quality improvement or patient safety, OR
  • Serve as a quality improvement coach, trainer, or student/resident QI advisor.

For Portfolio Program Sponsor Organizations

As a designated ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor, you take care of the essential administrative tasks related to credit confirmation.

  1. Monitor and track improvement activities and individual engagement.
  2. Submit activities to the ABMS Portfolio Program for approval. 
  3. Review and approve attestations of activity participation. 
  4. Send confirmation of activity completion to the ABMS Portfolio Program for transmission to the participating ABMS Member Board(s) or the NCCPA to in turn receive credit.  

ABMS Member Boards involved in the ABMS Portfolio Program

  • American Board of Anesthesiology 
  • American Board of Dermatology 
  • American Board of Emergency Medicine 
  • American Board of Family Medicine 
  • American Board of Internal Medicine 
  • American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics 
  • American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 
  • American Board of Ophthalmology 
  • American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 
  • American Board of Pathology 
  • American Board of Pediatrics 
  • American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 
  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 
  • American Board of Radiology 
  • American Board of Surgery 
  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery 
  • American Board of Urology