Hospitals benefit when doctors get and stay certified by an ABMS Member Board
For more than 90 years, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has earned the trust of the medical profession and the public. Most U.S. hospitals rely on ABMS certification because research shows that self-selected continuing medical education (CME) is not enough. ABMS board certified physicians are assessed through a continuing certification process to ensure they are up to date and can identify, then address any gaps in their knowledge.
Patients benefit from ABMS board certification, too.
Multiple studies* by various ABMS Member Boards have shown a strong inverse relationship between certification and the risk of disciplinary actions by state medical boards. Collectively, studies of doctors in certain specialties suggest that board certified doctors:
- Provide more efficient and accurate diagnoses
- Adhere to clinical treatment guidelines
- Stay abreast of medical advances
- Maintain safer prescribing practices
- Commit to quality improvement
Not all board certification programs are equal. ABMS requirements are the gold standard.
Hospitals and health systems have a significant responsibility to ensure their physicians meet the highest quality and safety standards. Certification by any of ABMS’ 24 Member Boards is rigorous by design. It gives hospitals and health systems added confidence that a physician has met the standards set by peers in their specialty. It also provides a threshold, serving as an independent, third-party validation of a physician’s knowledge and clinical judgment.
Shouldn’t all board certification programs meet the highest standards?
Sharing a commitment to ABMS board certified physicians and highlighting their certification status demonstrates hospitals’ and health systems’ high standards and commitment to providing the best care possible.
All ABMS Member Board certification programs:
- …verify continued competence and supports physician learning
- …curate the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment vital for every medical specialty
- …include initial and ongoing assessment corroborating mastery of knowledge and skills
- …involve physicians from each specialty in the development of assessments
- …set professional conduct standards and revokes certification when they’re breached
- …exceed baseline requirements for a medical license, reflecting a higher standard
Learn about the ABMS difference
The recognized and trusted leader by the public and profession.
Not all board certification programs are created equally.
Physicians certified by an ABMS Member Board can help hospitals and health systems meet their multiple goals.
Talk to ABMS about board certification.
Connect with our team and find out more about the importance of board certification through one of the 24 ABMS Member Boards.
The 24 Member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties
| American Board of Allergy and Immunology | American Board of Neurological Surgery | American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| American Board of Anesthesiology | American Board of Nuclear Medicine | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery | American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology | American Board of Preventive Medicine |
| American Board of Dermatology | American Board of Ophthalmology | American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology |
| American Board of Emergency Medicine | American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery | American Board of Radiology |
| American Board of Family Medicine | American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery | American Board of Surgery |
| American Board of Internal Medicine | American Board of Pathology | American Board of Thoracic Surgery |
| American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics | American Board of Pediatrics | American Board of Urology |