What does it mean for a Physician to Earn Board Certification?

Board certification represents an important level of achievement for a physician. It is a tangible demonstration that she or he has mastered the core competencies necessary to provide the best possible care in a chosen specialty or specialties. It means that he or she has been tested by peers and proven that his or her level of skill and knowledge is at the very top of the medical profession. It also means that the physician not only is qualified, but just might be a perfect fit for a particular job in his or her specialty.

These are all factors that should be considered as a physician thinks about becoming board certified with one or more of the Member Boards of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). Furthermore, physician board certification sends the right message to patients, whose decisions about where to go for healing or health maintenance often depend on the credentials of a hospital or clinic’s physicians.

While most physicians understand the effect board certification has on career development, the less-obvious benefits include:

  • The respect of their peers and the fellowship of practitioners who share best practice techniques and more

  • Added incentive to remain as updated as possible about new techniques and treatment methods in their chosen specialty in order to achieve recertification

  • An opportunity to be viewed as a leader in their chosen specialty, and to shape the course of the medical profession for years to come

The Application Process

Although eligibility requirements vary with the Board, most programs do look for:

  • motivation, self-direction and personal integrity

  • highly developed interpersonal and writing skills

  • demonstrated leadership and potential for continued leadership

Applications can be extensive and often include a resume, transcript, letters of recommendation and writing sample. Depending on the Board, there may be additional application materials required as well.

In addition, the application to most programs includes an interview, either a series of individual interviews, a single panel interview, or situational group interviews in which candidates work together to devise responses to a problem or question.