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ABMS Member Boards: Certification Information

General Certificates and Time-Limited Certification/Recertification

What you need to know about CertiFACTS Online’s board-certification information.

Currently, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) consists of 24 specialty boards (i.e., Member Boards), which verify doctor certification and recertification. A doctor is certified and/or recertified, upon completion of an approved education/training program and an evaluation process.

The requirements for medical-board certification and doctor recertification have been divided into four categories (which are detailed further in the tables below):

• Time-Limited General Certificates

• Time-Limited Subspecialty Certificates

• General Certification

• Time-Limited Recertification

What you need to know about time-limited medical-board certification/recertification.

Time-limited certification and recertification are issued by all 24 ABMS Member Boards. Doctors who received lifetime certification prior to the initiation of time-limited certificates are not required to seek medical-board recertification, although many doctors choose to do so. For this reason, you may see additional board-certification information after each initial lifetime certificate. Some boards also offer limited medical-board recertification for shorter periods of time to help fulfill physician CME requirements, resulting in overlapping dates.

To learn more about ABMS Member Boards, contact the Member Board directly

For a complete list of board-certified disciplines, view the following table: ABMS-Recognized Specialty and Subspecialty Certificates.

If you have additional questions, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact CertiFACTS Online.


Time-Limited Table - General Certificates
Time-Limited Table - Subspecialty Certificates
Requirements for General Certification
Requirements for Time-Limited Recertification

Time Limited Table - General Certificates

    Approved     Time Limited Certificates
  Incorp. as Member   First First Issued Duration
American Board of Year Board Certificates Issued Month/Year Years
Allergy & Immunology 1971 1971 Allergy & Immunology  1972 Oct-89 10
Anesthesiology 1938 1941 Anesthesiology 1938 Jan-00 10
Colon & Rectal Surgery  1935 1949 Colon & Rectal Surgery 1940 Jan-91 10
Dermatology 1932 1933 Dermatology 1932 Nov-91 10
Emergency Medicine 1976 1979 Emergency Medicine 1980 Jun-80 10
Family Medicine 1969 1969 Family Medicine 1970 Mar-70 7
Internal Medicine 1936 1936 Internal Medicine       1937 Aug-90 10
Medical Genetics 1980 1991 Clin Biochem Genetics 1982 Sep-93 10
      Clin Cytogenetics 1982 Sep-93 10
      Clin Genetics - M.D. 1982 Sep-93 10
      Clin Molecular Genetics  1993 Sep-93 10
      Ph.D. Medical Genetics 1982 Sep-93 10
Neurological Surgery 1940 1940 Neurological Surgery 1940 May-99 10
Nuclear Medicine 1971 1971 Nuclear Medicine 1972 Jan-92 10
Obstetrics & Gynecology 1930 1933 Obstetrics & Gynecology 1930 Jan-86 6
Ophthalmology 1917 1933 Ophthalmology 1916 Jul-92 10
Orthopaedic Surgery 1934 1935 Orthopaedic Surgery 1935 Jul-86 10
Otolaryngology 1924 1933 Otolaryngology 1925

May-02

 10
Pathology 1936 1936 Anatomic Pathology & 1936 —  
       Clinical Pathology      
      Anatomic Pathology 1936 —  
      Clinical Pathology 1936 —  
Pediatrics 1933 1934 Pediatrics 1934 May-88 7
Physical Medicine & 1947 1947 Physical Medicine &  1947 May-93 10
Rehabilitation     Rehabilitation      
Plastic Surgery 1937 1941 Plastic Surgery 1939 Nov-95 10
Preventive  1948 1949 Aerospace Medicine 1953 Jan-98 10
   Medicine     Occupational Medicine 1955 Jan-98 10
Psychiatry &    1935 Psychiatry 1935 Nov-94 10
   Neurology     Neurology 1935 Nov-94 10
      Neurology with Special Qualifications 1968 Nov-94 10
      in Child Neurology      
Radiology 1934 1935 Diagnostic Radiology 1965 Jun-02 10
      Radiation Oncology 1987 Jun-95 10
      Radiological Physics 1947 Jun-02 10
Surgery 1937 1937 Surgery 1937 Jan-76 10
Thoracic Surgery 1950 1970 Thoracic Surgery 1948 Jan-76 10
Urology 1935 1935 Urology 1935 Feb-85 10

Time Limited Table - Subspecialty Certificates

- -
Date
-
TimeLimited
Certificates
- -
Approved
First
First Issued
Duration
American Board of Subspecialty
by ABMS
Issued
Month/Year
Years
Allergy & Immunology Clinical Laboratory Immunology
1983
1986
Oct-94
10
Anesthesiology Critical Care
1985
1986
Jan-00
10
  Pain Medicine
1991
1993
Apr-93
10
Colon & Rectal Surgery No subspecialties
-
-
-
-
Dermatology Clinical & Laboratory Dermatological 
1983
1985
-
-
  Immunology
-
-
-
-
  Dermatopathology
1973
1974
-
-
  Pediatric Dermatology
2000
††
††
-
Emergency Medicine Medical Toxicology
1992
1995
Jan-95
10
  Pediatric Emergency Medicine
1991
1993
Feb-93
10
  Sports Medicine
1991
1993
Dec-93
10
  Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
2000
2000
Feb-01
10
Family Medicine Adolescent Medicine
2000
2001
Nov-01
10
  Geriatric Medicine
1985
1988
Apr-88
10
  Sports Medicine
1989
1993
Sep-93
10
Internal Medicine [Allergy & Immunology]
-
-
-
-
  Adolescent Medicine
1992
1994
Nov-94
10
  Cardiovascular Disease
†
1937
Nov-91
10
  Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
1989
1992
Nov-92
10
  Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
1983
1986
Oct-90
10
  Critical Care Medicine
1985
1987
Nov-87
10
  Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
1971
1972
Nov-91
10
  Gastroenterology
†
1936
Nov-91
10
  Geriatric Medicine
1985
1988
Apr-88
10
  Hematology
1971
1972
Nov-90
10
  Infectious Disease
1971
1972
Nov-90
10
  Interventional Cardiology
1996
1999
Nov-99
10
  Medical Oncology
1972
1973
Nov-91
10
  Nephrology
1971
1972
Nov-90
10
  Pulmonary Disease
†
1937
Nov-90
10
  Rheumatology
1971
1972
Nov-90
10
  Sports Medicine
1992
1993
Sep-93
10
Medical Genetics Molecular Genetic Pathology
1999
2001
-
-
Neurological Surgery No Subspecialties
-
-
-
-
Nuclear Medicine No Subspecialties
-
-
-
-
Obstetrics & Gynecology Critical Care Medicine
1985
1991
Jan-91
6
  Gynecologic Oncology
1972
1974
Dec-81
6
  Maternal & Fetal Medicine
1973
1974
Dec-87
6
  Reproductive Endocrinology
1973
1974
Dec-87
6
Ophthalmology No Subspecialties
-
-
-
-
Orthopaedic Surgery Hand Surgery
1986
1989
Feb-89
10
Otolaryngology Otology/Neurotology
1992
††
††
10
  Pediatric Otolaryngology
1992
††
††
10
  Plastic Surgery within the Head and Neck 
2000
-
-
-
Pathology Blood Banking/
-
-
-
-
  Transfusion Medicine
1972
1973
-
-
  Chemical Pathology
†
1951
-
-
  Cytopathology
1988
1989
-
-
  Dermatopathology
1973
1974
-
-
  Forensic Pathology
†
1959
-
-
  Hematology
†
1955
-
-
  ImmuNopathology
1983
1983
-
-
  Medical Microbiology
†
1950
-
-
  Molecular Genetic Pathology
1999
2001
-
-
  Neuropathology
†
1948
-
-
  Pediatric Pathology
1989
1990
-
-
Pediatrics Allergy & Immunology
-
-
-
-
  Adolescent Medicine
1991
1994
Nov-94
7
  Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
1983
1986
Oct-96
10
  Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
1999
††
††
7
  Medical Toxicology
1992
1994
Nov-94
10
  Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
1974
1975
Nov-89
7
  Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
1999
2001
Apr-01
10
  Pediatric Cardiology
†
1961
Oct-88
7
  Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
1985
1987
Jul-87
7
  Pediatric Emergency Medicine
1991
1992
Jan-92
7
  Pediatric Endocrinology
1976
1978
Jan-89
7
  Pediatric Gastroenterology
1988
1990
Jan-90
7
  Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
1973
1974
Jan-90
7
  Pediatric Infectious Diseases
1991
1994
Nov-94
7
  Pediatric Nephrology
1973
1974
Jul-88
7
  Pediatric Pulmonology
1984
1986
Jul-86
7
  Pediatric Rheumatology
1990
1992
May-92
7
  Sports Medicine
1990
1993
Sep-93
10
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Spinal Cord Injury Medicine
1995
1998
Dec-98
10
  Pain Medicine
1998
2000
Sep-00
10
  Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
1999
††
††
-
Plastic Surgery Hand Surgery
1986
1989
Jan-89
10
  Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck
2000
††
††
10
Preventive Medicine Medical Toxicology
1992
1995
Jan-85
10
  Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine
1989
1993
Jan-93
10
Psychiatry & Neurology Addiction Psychiatry
1991
1993
Mar-93
10
  Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
†
1959
Sep-95
10
  Clinical Neurophysiology
1990
1992
Mar-92
10
  Forensic Psychiatry
1992
1994
Oct-94
10
  Geriatric Psychiatry
1989
1991
Apr-91
10
  Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
1999
2000
Apr-00
10
  Pain Medicine
1998
2000
Apr-01
10
Radiology Neuroradiology
1994
1995
Feb-95
10
  Nuclear Radiology
1972
1974
Nov-99
10
  Pediatric Radiology
1993
1994
Nov-94
10
  Vascular & Interventional Radiology
1994
1994
Nov-94
10
Surgery Vascular Surgery
1982
1982
Jun-82
10
  Pediatric Surgery
1973
1974
Jun-74
10
  Surgery of the Hand
1986
1989
Jan-89
10
  Surgical Critical Care
1985
1986
Jun-86
10
Thoracic Surgery No Subspecialties
-
-
-
-
Urology No Subspecialties
-
-
-
-
 
† - Certificates issued prior to 1972 when ABMS recognition procedures were established
†† - Certificates Not issued
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Requirements for General Certification

 
Training and Experience
Time Limits for Certification
Training Credit Accepted
Other Requirements
 
ACGME Approved (1)
Maximum Years      to Apply After Training (3)
Maximum Years to Complete Certification After Application (3)
1
1
American Board of
Initial Specialty Training
Advanced Specialty Training
Clinical Experience Requirement
Non-ACGME (1,3) Accredited Training
RCPSC (2,3) Years
Full License Required
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Fees for Certification Examination
Allergy & Immunology
3
2
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
$2,000
Anesthesiology
1
3
—
12
6
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,300
Colon/Rectal Surgery
5
1
—
5
7
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,200
Dermatology
1
3
—
No Limit
2 Renewable
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
No
1,600
Emergency Medicine
—
3
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,885
Family Medicine
—
3
—
No Limit
No Limit
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
815
Internal Medicine
—
3
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
No
860
Medical Genetics
2
2
—
No Limit
6
Yes 
No 
Yes
Yes
No
1,450
Neurological Surgery
1
5
1
5
.
Yes
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,000
Nuclear Medicine
1
2
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
No
1,800
Obstetrics/Gynecology
—
4
2
No Limit
6
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,555
Ophthalmology
1
3
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,650
Orthopaedic Surgery
—
5
2
No Limit
5
No
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,240
Otolaryngology
1
4
—
No Limit
1-3 yrs
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
3,000
Pathology
3 or 4
1 or 2
1
5
3
Yes 
Yes 
Yes
Yes
No
1,200/1,600
Pediatrics
—
3
—
No Limit
No Limit
Yes
Yes 
Yes
Yes
No
1,200
Physical Med & Rehab
1
3
1
No Limit
No Limit
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,200
Plastic Surgery
3
2
0
2
No Limit
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
  
1,500/1,500
Preventive Medicine
1
2
—
No Limit
3 Renewable
No 
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
1,725/1,975
Psychiatry/Neurology
—
4
—
No Limit
No Limit
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,150
Radiology
—
4
1
No Limit
No Limit
Yes
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,100
Surgery
—
5
—
3
5 & 5 
Yes
Yes 
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,350
Thoracic Surgery
5
2
—
5
8
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2,670
Urology
1-2
3 or 4
1½
5
5
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,740/1,840
 
(1) Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
(2) Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
(3) Contact Member Board for application deadlines and specifics.
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Requirements for Time-Limited Recertification

1
Time-Limited 
1
Requirements for Recertification
Certificates
American Board of
Written Exam
Oral  Exam
Other Assessment Formats
License Required
CME Required
Application Fees
Year of Implementation
Duration  (Years)
Allergy & Immunology
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
2,100
1989
10
Anesthesiology
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
700
2000
10
Colon/Rectal Surgery
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
950
1990
10
Dermatology
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
750
1991
10
Emergency Medicine
Yes (1)
No(3)
No
Yes
No
1,390
1980
10
Family Medicine
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
815
1970
7
Internal Medicine
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
895
1990
10
Medical Genetics
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
200-1,950(1)
2002
10(1)
Neurological Surgery
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Established
1999
10
Nuclear Medicine
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
1,000
1992
10
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Yes
No
Yes(1)
Yes
No
180-1,450(1)
1986
6
Ophthalmology
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,250
1992
10
Orthopaedic Surgery
Yes(1)
Yes(1)
Yes(1)
Yes 
Yes
1,500-1,700(1)
1986
10
Otolaryngology
Plan in Progress
1
1
1
1
1
2002
10
Pathology
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
750
1997 (2)
10
Pediatrics
Yes
No
Yes
Yes 
No
550-1,100(1)
1988
7
Phys. Med. & Rehab.
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
500
1993
10
Plastic Surgery
Plan in Progress
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Established
1995
10
Preventive Medicine
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,450
1997
10
Psychiatry & Neurology
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Psychiatry
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
1,275
1994
10
Neurology
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
1,275
1994
10
Radiology
-1
1-
1-
 1
-1
1-
-1
1
Diagnostic Radiology
Plan in Progress
-
-
-
-
1,600
2002
10
Radiation Oncology
Yes
No
No
Yes
-
1,600
1995
10
Radiologic Physics
Plan in Progress
-
-
-
-
1,600
2002
10
Surgery 
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
675
1976
10
Thoracic Surgery
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
1,100
1976
10
Urology
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
1,050
1985
10
 
(1)  Options available.
(2)  Initial certificates are Not time-limited. Recertification are time-limited.
(3)  Only one exam is required for recertification. Candidates may choose either the written certification   
TO CONFIRM CURRENT OFFICIAL POLICY OF INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTY BOARDS, CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE BOARD.
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source data obtained from and permission to display data granted by The American Board of Medical Specialties
 
 
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