Home: Boards of Certification: ABPS Recertification for ABMS & AOABOS Diplomates

ABPS accepts Diplomates certified by the Boards that are part of The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) for recertification with ABPS in any specialty in which ABPS currently certifies physicians. In order for candidates to become recertified through ABPS, they must provide documentation of their current certification, which must be current and valid. See the specific recertification requirements for your specialty. (The requirement that a portion of the CME hours be from AAPS-sponsored CME hours is waived for the first recertification in each specialty with ABPS.)

A candidate may begin the recertification application process as early as two years before his or her current certification expires. To be recertified, candidates must successfully complete all requirements, including passing the recertification examination, no later than December 31 the year after their current certification expires.

Upon verification that the physician has met the eligibility requirements and that his or her certification is currently valid, the candidate will be eligible to take the written examination. After passing the written examination, a certificate, suitable for framing, attesting to the recertification, will be issued, showing the initial certification date as the earliest verifiable date from which the physician has uninterrupted valid certification in the specialty. Recertification is currently valid through December 31, eight years from the date of expiration of the physician’s prior certification, provided the physician meets the annual requirements for Maintenance and Enhancement of Competencies as described in the ABPS Standards for Recertification. Click here to download a copy of the brochure.