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ABPS - The Official Certifying Body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is the nation's third largest recognized physician multi-specialty certifying body, providing board certification to both allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) physicians.

The ABPS monitors the adherence to approved standards related to certification and recertification and addresses examination construction, administration, scoring, reliability, and validity. ABPS maintains standards to assure quality control.

Board certification provides a safeguard for the public. The ABPS establishes high standards for physicians to demonstrate that they have had not only appropriate medical education and residency training, but also can demonstrate through ABPS examinations, that they have an appropriate level of knowledge and skills to practice safely and effectively.

The membership of the ABPS consists of the chairperson of each of the eight autonomous boards of certification, three appointed Diplomates, two non-physician public members, and three ex-officio members from the AAPS Board of Directors. ABPS is the first medical certification board in the United States to include active participation of public members. Public members also serve on the eight ABPS-affiliated boards of certification.