A board certified physician is a doctor who has completed additional training and passed exams in their medical specialty. This certification process ensures they meet high standards of competence.
Board certification is voluntary and administered by member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The process typically involves:
For example, a cardiologist would complete a cardiology fellowship, pass the ABIM Cardiology exam, and maintain certification through continuing education.
| Specialty | Certifying Board | Example Subspecialties |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) | Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology |
| Pediatrics | American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) | Neonatology, Infectious Diseases, Hematology |
| Surgery | American Board of Surgery (ABS) | General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery |
Each specialty has its own certifying board and set of exams. Some doctors pursue subspecialty certification after initial board certification.
Board certification indicates a physician has demonstrated expertise beyond basic medical school training. Studies show patients of board certified physicians have lower mortality rates and better outcomes. For example, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that board certified surgeons had lower surgical complication rates.
Many hospitals require board certification for staff privileges. Insurance companies may prefer or require board certified physicians in their networks. Patients can verify a doctor's certification status on the ABMS website.
Some people confuse board certification with state medical licensing. Licensing is mandatory and verifies basic competency to practice medicine, while board certification is voluntary and demonstrates advanced expertise in a specialty.
Another misconception is that all doctors are board certified. In reality, about 85% of practicing physicians are board certified, according to ABMS data. The rate varies by specialty, with surgical specialties having higher certification rates.
I once needed to find a new primary care physician. When researching options, I noticed some listed "board certified" while others didn't. This distinction helped me narrow my choices to doctors who had completed additional training in internal medicine.
Use the ABMS Physician Select tool to check certification status. Look for the ABMS logo or similar certification marks in doctors' offices or online profiles. When in doubt, ask the physician or their staff about their certification status.