Golden Past. Brilliant Future
It all began with an idea: establishing a system to assure the public that physician specialists are properly trained and that they continue learning new practices and treatments to improve the care they deliver. It meant creating some tough standards for education and evaluation. It also required forming a national system to enforce these standards and to identify qualified physician specialists in a way everyone can easily recognize.

Now, after 75 years of service, we are happy to reflect on a rich history. The information in this section traces ABMS' role in establishing rigorous standards for physician certification. Just as important, it also offers a glimpse of what we are doing to expand certification programs for doctors and to make board certification a credential that is recognized and referenced by everyone. Please join us in the celebration by visiting this section often as we continue to unfold the story of how excellence in care is built on the highest standards.