AM I ELIGIBLE?
SELECT SPECIALTY
What specialty are you applying for?
Specialties
Subspecialties
Question:
How many years of ACGME-accredited, postgraduate clinical training have you completed?
Your clinical training must include at least ten months of direct patient care.
1 You might be asking...
Will you accept other clinical training programs?
Yes, clinical training accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada is also acceptable.
What do you consider direct patient care?
Direct patient care comprises ambulatory and inpatient experience with hands-on patient care involving diagnostic workup and treatment of individual patients.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you have not met the ABPM requirements to apply for board certification.
Question:
Have you completed a 24-month, ACGME-accredited residency in the ABPM specialty (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Public Health and General Preventive Medicine) in which you are seeking certification?
Question:
Have you completed a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) or an equivalent degree?
The MPH degree or equivalent must include significant content in the following areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. These content areas are informed by the traditional public health core knowledge areas. It is recommended that at least 15 total equivalent hours of graduate level courses be completed in the core coursework areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.
The minimum 15 credit hours of coursework should appropriately reflect the 5 content areas listed above to ensure applicants are well-grounded in foundational public health knowledge and should be graduate-level courses. Undergraduate courses and coursework in medical school will not meet these requirements. Courses that may include multiple content areas must meet the equivalent academic requirements and content of the traditional individual courses.
1 You might be asking...
I have not graduated but I completed all coursework, and am scheduled to graduate. Can I still apply?
Applicants are required to submit an official transcript confirming completion of required coursework. If the MPH is not conferred on the degree, applicants are required to obtain a letter from the registrar’s office stating that all requirements have been met and indicate confirmation date.
Question:
Did you complete an ACGME-accredited residency within the last 24 months in the specialty in which you are seeking certification (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Public Health and General Preventive Medicine)?
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Residency pathway.
This pathway is open to all applicants who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency of not less than two years, in the specialty area in which certification is being sought.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 1 of the past 3 years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent in your residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
Do you currently possess a primary specialty certification through the ABPM?
The ABPM certifies in three primary specialties: Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine. For more information about qualifying primary specialty certificates, please visit our Specialties page.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 2 of the past 5 years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent in your residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Special pathway.
The Special Pathway may only be used by a physician to qualify for one additional ABPM Specialty Certificate. Subject to all eligibility requirements, a third (or more) ABPM Certificate may be obtained by a single physician exclusively through the Residency Pathway.
Diplomates with subspecialty certification (Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology, and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine) do not qualify for the Special Pathway.
Current diplomates of the American Board of Preventive Medicine who possess certification in a primary specialty (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine) may apply for another ABPM primary specialty through the Special Pathway. Diplomates with subspecialty certification (Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology, and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine) do not qualify for the Special Pathway.
Question:
Did you graduate medical school before January 1, 1984?
An Alternative Pathway is open to physicians who graduated medical school before January 1, 1984. Depending on your circumstances, the minimum years of practice required may vary.
Question:
How many years did you complete in an ACGME-accredited Preventive Medicine residency Program?
A resident must also develop progressive teaching responsibilities related to direct patient care, which can be done by teaching management of clinical patients and population-based problems solving to more junior preventive medicine residents and other learners, as appropriate.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
Have you completed a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) or an equivalent degree?
The MPH degree or equivalent must include significant content in the following areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. These content areas are informed by the traditional public health core knowledge areas. It is recommended that at least 15 total equivalent hours of graduate level courses be completed in the core coursework areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.
The minimum 15 credit hours of coursework should appropriately reflect the 5 content areas listed above to ensure applicants are well-grounded in foundational public health knowledge and should be graduate-level courses. Undergraduate courses and coursework in medical school will not be considered to meet these requirements. Courses that may include multiple content areas must meet the equivalent academic requirements and content of the traditional individual courses.
1 You might be asking...
I have not graduated but I completed all coursework, and am scheduled to graduate. Can I still apply?
Applicants are required to submit an official transcript confirming completion of required coursework. If the MPH is not conferred on the degree, applicants are required to obtain a letter from the registrar’s office stating that all requirements have been met and indicate confirmation date.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Residency pathway.
This pathway applies to all applicants who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency of not less than two years, in the specialty area in which certification is being sought.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Residency pathway.
This pathway applies to all applicants who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency of not less than two years, in the specialty area in which certification is being sought.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 1 of the past 3 years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent in your residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
Do you currently possess a primary specialty certification through the ABPM?
The ABPM certifies in three primary specialties: Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine. For more information about qualifying primary specialty certificates, please visit our Specialties page.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 2 of the past five years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent in your residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Special pathway.
Current diplomates of the American Board of Preventive Medicine who possess certification in a primary specialty (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine) may apply for another ABPM primary specialty through the Special Pathway.
The Special Pathway may only be used by a physician to qualify for one additional ABPM Specialty Certificate. Subject to all eligibility requirements, a third (or more) ABPM Certificate may be obtained by a single physician exclusively through the Residency Pathway.
Diplomates with subspecialty certification (Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology, and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine) do not qualify for the Special Pathway.
Question:
Have you completed a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) or an equivalent degree?
The MPH degree or equivalent must include significant content in the following areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. These content areas are informed by the traditional public health core knowledge areas. It is recommended that at least 15 total equivalent hours of graduate level courses be completed in the core coursework areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.
The minimum 15 credit hours of coursework should appropriately reflect the 5 content areas listed above to ensure applicants are well-grounded in foundational public health knowledge and should be graduate-level courses. Undergraduate courses and coursework in medical school will not be considered to meet these requirements. Courses that may include multiple content areas must meet the equivalent academic requirements and content of the traditional individual courses.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my coursework?
We request that applicants provide a transcript and course syllabus detailing the required coursework. This documentation must prove that you participated in graduate coursework in the required areas and that you attained sufficient competencies from each course.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 2 of the past 5 years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent in your residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Complementary pathway.
The Complementary pathway is designed to accommodate physicians who wish to make a mid-career shift into the practice of Preventive Medicine. In order to qualify through this pathway, physicians must complete two or more years of training in a clinical residency program. They must also complete one year in an ACGME-accredited residency program in the Preventive Medicine specialty area (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine or Public Health and General Preventive Medicine) in which certification is being sought.
The Preventive Medicine residency program must include a direct patient care component. The minimum length of this component varies by Specialty as follows:
- Aerospace Medicine: at least 8 months of direct patient care;
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine: at least 8 months of direct patient care;
- Public Health and General Preventive Medicine: at least 4 months of direct patient care.
Question:
Do you currently possess a primary specialty certification through the ABPM?
The ABPM certifies in three primary specialties: Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine. For more information about qualifying primary specialty certificates, please visit our Specialties page.
Question:
Have you been practicing full-time in this specialty for at least 2 of the past 5 years?
Full-time, or equivalent, is considered an average of 40 hours per week of practice in the specialty area. Practice time may include research, training, or administration, but may not include time spent concurrent with a residency.
1 You might be asking...
Upon application, what kind of information do I need provide about my practice?
We request that applicants provide a detailed description about their practice activity. Depending on when you completed your residency, you may be required to provide letters of reference from physicians who can attest to your experience in the specialty area in which you are seeking certification. At least one reference must be from an individual certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, preferably in the respective specialty area.
What do you consider a year of full-time experience?
Preventive Medicine practice must be at least 50% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 20 hours per week) over two years or at least 80% of a 40-hour week (i.e., 32 hours per week) for one year. Further prorating of time (e.g., 33% over three years) is not appropriate , and no credit will be given for less than 20 hours per week of practice. No more than full-time credit will be granted for any period of practice regardless of the number of hours accumulated during that period. No more than one year of credit can be given for practice time in a given twelve-month period. Your application should provide explicit documentation of the time spent in Preventive Medicine.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Special pathway.
Current diplomates of the American Board of Preventive Medicine who possess certification in a primary specialty (Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine) may apply for another ABPM primary specialty through the Special Pathway.
The Special Pathway may only be used by a physician to qualify for one additional ABPM Specialty Certificate. Subject to all eligibility requirements, a third (or more) ABPM Certificate may be obtained by a single physician exclusively through the Residency Pathway.
Diplomates with subspecialty certification only (Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology, and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine) do not qualify for the Special Pathway.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you may be eligible to apply through the alternative pathway.
The Alternative pathway is only open to physicians who graduated medical school before January 1, 1984. To determine the amount of practice years required for your circumstance, please refer to the table below.
Do you have…
| A Residency? |  |
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| An MPH Degree?* | |
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| An Board Certification | |
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| Practice Years Required | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
Credentials: MPH Degree, An ABMS Board Certification
Practice Years Required: 3
Credentials: Residency, An ABMS Board Certification
Practice Years Required: 3
Credentials: MPH Degree
Practice Years Required: 4
Credentials: Residency
Practice Years Required: 5
Credentials: An ABMS Board Certification
Practice Years Required: 6
Credentials: No MPH Degree, No ABMS Board Certification, No Residency
Practice Years Required: 8
*Without an MPH degree, you are still required to complete coursework (worth 3 credits each) in biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, health services administration, and environmental health sciences. Total practice years refers to the amount of practice time in the specialty area for which certification is being sought.
Question:
Do you currently have a specialty certification by the American Board of Addiction Medicine?
Beginning in 2022, physicians seeking certification in Addiction Medicine may apply through the ACGME-accredited Fellowship Pathway or the Practice Pathway. The Practice Pathway will remain open through the 2025 application cycle.
1 You might be asking...
I have not maintained my primary ABMS board certification. I am still certified in my subspecialty. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification?
Some ABMS boards consider maintaining subspecialty certification as meeting the primary certification requirements. In those cases, the individual is deemed certified in the primary specialty. Primary specialty certification status is determined by each individual board.
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement for applicants applying through the Practice Pathway. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
In addition fulfilling all other eligibility requirements for the Practice Pathway, physicians must possess current primary specialty certification through at least one of these certifying bodies to be eligible through the Practice Pathway: an ABMS Member Board, the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
The Practice Pathway is not open to physicians who never obtained primary specialty certification through one of the above certifying bodies, who lost their primary specialty certification as the result of disciplinary action, or who surrendered a medical license in lieu of, or otherwise to avoid the possibility of, disciplinary action being taken against their license.
1 You might be asking...
How long will the Practice Pathway for Addiction Medicine be open?
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2025 application cycle.
Beginning with the 2026 application cycle, physicians must complete an ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway.
Beginning in 2022, all applicants for certification in Addiction Medicine must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship program or apply through the Practice Pathway. ABPM has extended the Practice Pathway through the 2025 application cycle.
Question:
Have you completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Addiction Medicine?
Applicants who have not completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway.
For a list of Addiction Medicine fellowships, please see https://www.acaam.org/accreditedfellowships/. This list includes fellowships accredited by the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM), formerly known as TAMF.
1 You might be asking...
Does an Addiction Psychiatry fellowship meet the training requirements for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Pathway?
An Addiction Psychiatry fellowship does not meet the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Pathway requirements.
Will less than 12 months of American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM) fellowship training count towards Practice Pathway requirements?
To be eligible for the Practice Pathway’s “Non-Accredited Fellowship Training” option, applicants must have completed ABPM-approved fellowship training at least 12 months in length.
Applicants who have completed less than 12 months of a non-ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship may be eligible through the Practice Pathway’s “Time in Practice” option. Applicants must submit the fellowship curriculum and a description of the actual training experience for the Board’s approval.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
In addition fulfilling all other eligibility requirements, physicians must possess current primary specialty certification through at least one of these certifying bodies to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam: an ABMS Member Board, the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
1 You might be asking...
I was previously certified in a primary specialty but no longer am certified. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification in Addiction Medicine?
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
I have not maintained my primary ABMS board certification. I am still certified in my subspecialty. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification?
Some ABMS boards consider maintaining subspecialty certification as meeting the primary certification requirements. In those cases, the individual is deemed certified in the primary specialty. Primary specialty certification status is determined by each individual board.
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
1 You might be asking...
Does my AOA certification satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement?
Yes. Current primary specialty certification through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) will satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement.
Review the requirements for Addiction Medicine Certification at https://www.theabpm.org/become-certified/subspecialties/addiction-medicine/.
Will Canadian board certification satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement?
Yes. Current primary specialty certification through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement.
Review the requirements for Addiction Medicine Certification at https://www.theabpm.org/become-certified/subspecialties/addiction-medicine/.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s “Time in Practice” option.
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2025 application cycle. Beginning in 2026, all applicants for the Addiction Medicine certification exam must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you have not met the requirements to apply for ABPM Subspecialty certification.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
In addition fulfilling all other eligibility requirements, physicians must possess current primary specialty certification through at least one of these certifying bodies to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam: an ABMS Member Board, the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
1 You might be asking...
I have not maintained my primary ABMS board certification. I am still certified in my subspecialty. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification?
Some ABMS boards consider maintaining subspecialty certification as meeting the primary certification requirements. In those cases, the individual is deemed certified in the primary specialty. Primary specialty certification status is determined by each individual board.
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Addiction Medicine certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Question:
Have you completed a 12-month Addiction Medicine fellowship accredited by the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM), formerly known as TAMF?
Physicians who have completed ACAAM fellowship training of at least 12 months in length may be eligible through the Practice Pathway’s “Non-Accredited Fellowship Training” option.
For a list of both ACAAM and ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowships, please visit https://www.acaam.org/accreditedfellowships/.
1 You might be asking...
Does an Addiction Psychiatry fellowship meet the ADM fellowship requirement?
An Addiction Psychiatry fellowship does not meet the Addiction Medicine Fellowship requirements.
Will less than 12 months of American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM) fellowship training count towards Practice Pathway requirements?
To be eligible for the Practice Pathway’s “Non-Accredited Fellowship Training” option, applicants must have completed ABPM-approved fellowship training at least 12 months in length.
Applicants who have completed less than 12 months of a non-ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship may be eligible through the Practice Pathway’s “Time in Practice” option. Applicants must submit the fellowship curriculum and a description of the actual training experience for the Board’s approval.
Can I fulfill a portion of the Practice Pathway requirements during my residency? Will ABPM allow me to satisfy Practice Pathway requirements through electives?
Practice time that is concurrent with residency or fellowship training will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
Electives also will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s “Non-Accredited Fellowship Training” option.
Beginning in 2026, all applicants for Addiction Medicine certification must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine fellowship.
Question:
Within the previous five years, have you completed a minimum of 1,920 hours of Addiction Medicine practice, spanning at least two years?
Of the 1,920 required practice hours, at least 25% (or 480 hours) must be in direct Addiction Medicine patient care.
Practice must consist of broad-based professional activity with significant Addiction Medicine responsibility. Practice time need not be continuous; however, all practice time must have occurred in the five-year period immediately preceding June 30 of the application year.
1 You might be asking...
Can I fulfill a portion of the Practice Pathway requirements during my residency? Will ABPM allow me to satisfy Practice Pathway requirements through electives?
Practice time that is concurrent with residency or fellowship training will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
Electives also will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
Question:
Have you completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Clinical Informatics?
If you began, but did not complete, an ACGME-accredited fellowship or if you completed a fellowship that is not ACGME-accredited, choose No. Your fellowship training may be applied toward the requirements of the Practice Pathway.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
In addition fulfilling all other eligibility requirements, physicians must possess current primary specialty certification through at least one of these certifying bodies to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam: an ABMS Member Board, the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
1 You might be asking...
I have not maintained my primary specialty certification. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification in Clinical Informatics?
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Does my AOA certification satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement?
Yes. Current primary specialty certification through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) will satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement.
Review the requirements for Clinical Informatics certification here.
Will Canadian board certification satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement?
Yes. Current primary specialty certification through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy the primary specialty certification requirement.
Review the requirements for Clinical Informatics certification here.
I have not maintained my primary ABMS board certification. I am still certified in my subspecialty. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification?
Some ABMS boards consider maintaining subspecialty certification as meeting the primary certification requirements. In those cases, the individual is deemed certified in the primary specialty. Primary specialty certification status is determined by each individual board.
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Question:
Are you currently certified in a primary specialty through:
- an ABMS member board,
- the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
- the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
- the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)?
In addition fulfilling all other eligibility requirements, physicians must possess current primary specialty certification through at least one of these certifying bodies to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam: an ABMS Member Board, the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
1 You might be asking...
I have not maintained my primary specialty certification. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification in Clinical Informatics?
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
I have not maintained my primary ABMS board certification. I am still certified in my subspecialty. Am I still eligible to apply for board certification?
Some ABMS boards consider maintaining subspecialty certification as meeting the primary certification requirements. In those cases, the individual is deemed certified in the primary specialty. Primary specialty certification status is determined by each individual board.
Current primary specialty certification is a core requirement to be eligible for the Clinical Informatics certification exam. Current primary specialty certification through an ABMS member board, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) will satisfy this requirement.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Fellowship Pathway.
Completion of an ACGME-accredited fellowship program of at least 24 months in duration, and which is acceptable to the ABPM, is required.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you have not met the requirements to apply for ABPM Subspecialty certification.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s “Time in Practice” option.
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2025 application cycle.
Beginning in 2026, all applicants for the Clinical Informatics certification exam must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship.
Question:
Have you completed a 24-month Masters or PhD program in Biomedical Informatics, Health Sciences Informatics, Clinical Informatics, or a related subject (e.g. NLM university-based Biomedical Informatics Training)?
1 You might be asking...
I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Healthcare Informatics with a concentration in Healthcare Analytics. Will this program satisfy the requirements of the Practice Pathway?
All Clinical Informatics applicants applying through the Practice Pathway’s “Masters or PhD in Biomedical Informatics” option must submit their curriculum and transcript as part of their application. All applications and supporting documentation are reviewed by ABPM-certified Clinical Informatics physicians.
I have worked two years in Clinical Informatics, averaging 40 hours per month. I also completed an expedited 16-month Master’s program in Clinical Informatics. Will my combined practice time and Master’s be sufficient to meet the Practice Pathway requirements?
Applicants must include a detailed description of their practice activities in their application. An ABPM-certified Clinical Informatics physician reviews each description and determines the amount of credit to grant towards Practice Pathway requirements.
ABPM may grant partial credit for a Clinical Informatics Master’s program that is less than 24 months. To request credit for their completion of a Master’s or PhD program, applicants must submit their curriculum and transcript as part of their application.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s “Master’s or PhD in Biomedical Informatics” option.
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2025 application cycle.
Beginning in 2026, all applicants for the Clinical Informatics certification exam must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship.
Question:
Have you completed three years of Clinical Informatics practice?
Practice time must be at least 25% of a full-time equivalent, and must have occurred in the past five years.
Fellowship training that is not ACGME-accredited or less than 24 months in duration may be applied toward the practice time requirement.
1 You might be asking...
Can I fulfill a portion of the Practice Pathway requirements during my residency? Will ABPM allow me to satisfy Practice Pathway requirements through electives or research conducted as a resident or fellow?
Practice time that is concurrent with residency or fellowship training will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
Electives in Clinical Informatics also will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
ABPM may consider research months in a non-Clinical informatics fellowship with the following limitations: the fellowship may not be used to satisfy a requirement for another board certification and the applicant must demonstrate significant Clinical Informatics research (e.g., publications or presentations) during that time period.
I worked one month in decision support at .15 FTE and another month in informatics research at .10 FTE. Will this combined effort count as one month at .25 FTE?
No, because neither activity averages .25 FTE or more. However, if both activities had occurred during the same month, they could be added and provided in support of a Practice Pathway application.
I worked for 12 months as a CMIO. Some months my work was at .15 FTE and in others .50 FTE. On average I worked at more than .25 FTE. Will this count for 12 month's effort?
Yes, if you were .25 FTE or more as a CMIO, the activity may be counted towards Practice Pathway requirements.
I worked as a content expert for our EHR implementation and created documentation templates. Will these activities count towards the Practice Pathway requirements?
The ABPM does not consider providing content expertise to be a significant Clinical Informatics practice activity and, therefore, such activities will not count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
I work on average 40 hours per month in Informatics. Does this fulfill the .25 FTE threshold?
Applicants applying through the Practice Pathway are required to document the average number of hours they work in Clinical Informatics per week. Practice time must be at least .25 FTE (on average, 10 hours per week) to count towards Practice Pathway requirements.
I have worked two years in Clinical Informatics, averaging 40 hours per month. I also completed an expedited 16-month Master’s program in Clinical Informatics. Will my combined practice time and Master’s be sufficient to meet the Practice Pathway requirements?
Applicants must include a detailed description of their practice activities in their application. An ABPM-certified Clinical Informatics physician reviews each description and determines the amount of credit to grant towards Practice Pathway requirements.
ABPM may grant partial credit for a Clinical Informatics Master’s program that is less than 24 months. To request credit for their completion of a Master’s or PhD program, applicants must submit their curriculum and transcript as part of their application.
Question:
Do you currently hold primary specialty certification from an AOA member board or certification from the Canadian certifying boards RCPSC or the CFPC?
Do you currently hold primary specialty certification from an AOA member board or certification from the Canadian certifying boards RCPSC or the CFPC?
- Beginning with the 2020 ABPM Examination Cycle, AOA board certification is recognized as an acceptable primary certificate for physicians seeking subspecialty certification in Clinical Informatics through ABPM. To be eligible to take the ABPM subspecialty certification examinations, AOA-board certified physicians must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Clinical Informatics, as well as meet all other current ABPM requirements for certification.
- Beginning with the 2021 ABPM Examination Cycle, primary board certification through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is recognized as an acceptable primary certificate for physicians seeking subspecialty certification in Clinical Informatics through ABPM. To be eligible under the expanded rules, physicians must also complete an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Clinical Informatics and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Question:
Have you completed a 12-month, ACGME-accredited fellowship in Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine?
Approximately 25% of your time must have been spent in actual management of Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine cases.
For more information about qualifying primary specialty certificates, please visit ABMS.
If you are already a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, please apply for certification in Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine through them. More information can be found on the American Board of Emergency Medicine’s website.
Question:
Do you currently hold primary specialty certification from an ABMS member board?
Primary board certification is a core requirement.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Fellowship pathway.
Completion of an ACGME accredited fellowship program of at least 12 months in duration that is acceptable to the ABPM is required.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you have not met the requirements to apply for ABPM Subspecialty certification.
Question:
Do you currently hold primary specialty certification from an AOA member board?
Beginning with the 2020 ABPM Examination Cycle, AOA board certification will be recognized as an acceptable primary certificate for physicians seeking subspecialty certification in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine from ABPM. To be eligible to participate in this program and to take the ABPM subspecialty certification examinations, AOA-board certified physicians must successfully complete an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited fellowship in the relevant subspecialty, as well as meet all other current ABPM requirements for that subspecialty.
Question:
Are you currently certified in an ABPM specialty?
In addition to fulfilling all other eligibility requirements, physicians must possess current ABPM certification in a specialty or subspecialty. If you are not certified by ABPM but are certified through another ABMS member board, you may still be eligible for HALM certification.
- If you are certified in an ABA specialty, please apply through ABA.
- If you are certified in an ABFM specialty, please apply through ABFM.
- If you are certified through an ABMS member board not listed above, please apply through ABEM.
Question:
Have you completed an ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship?
If you began, but did not complete, an ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship, or if you completed a non-ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship, choose No. Your fellowship training may be applied toward practice pathway requirements.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the ACGME-Accredited Fellowship Pathway.
Completion of an ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship program is required.
Question:
Based on the responses provided, you have not met the requirements to apply for ABPM subspecialty certification.
Question:
Have you completed a non-ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship, at least 12 months in duration?
The fellowship must be sponsored by an ACGME-accredited residency program or an ACGME-accredited institution.
Question:
Are you currently certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) or the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL)?
Physicians who are certified by ACHE or AAPL may receive up to a maximum of 12 months’ credit toward the practice time requirement for either the practice-only track or the training-plus-practice track. To receive credit, your ACHE or AAPL certification must be current at the time you submit your application to the ABPM.
Question:
Are you currently certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) or the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL)?
Physicians who are certified by ACHE or AAPL may receive up to a maximum of 12 months’ credit toward the practice time requirement for either the practice-only track or the training-plus-practice track. To receive credit, your ACHE or AAPL certification must be current at the time you submit your application to the ABPM.
Question:
In the previous seven years (84 months), have you held a position or positions for a minimum total of 24 months in which at least 50% of your time (0.5 FTE) is/was devoted to the responsibilities described here?
The 24 months of practice do not need to be contiguous, but must be completed within 84 months of the date you submit your application.
Question:
In the previous seven years (84 months), have you held a position or positions for a minimum total of 12 months in which at least 50% of your time (0.5 FTE) is/was devoted to the responsibilities described here?
The 12 months of practice do not need to be contiguous, but must be completed within 84 months of the date you submit your application.
Question:
In the previous seven years (84 months), have you held a position or positions for a minimum total of 36 months in which in which at least 50% of your time (0.5 FTE) is/was devoted to the responsibilities described here?
The 36 months of practice do not need to be contiguous, but must be completed within 84 months of the date you submit your application to the ABPM.
Question:
In the previous seven years (84 months), have you held a position or positions for a minimum total of 24 months in which at least 50% of your time (0.5 FTE) is/was devoted to the responsibilities described here?
The 24 months of practice do not need to be contiguous, but must be completed within 84 months of the date you submit your application.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s Non-Accredited Training Plus Practice Track.
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2030 application cycle. Beginning in 2031, all applicants for HALM certification must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship.
Question:
You may be eligible to apply through the Practice Pathway’s Practice-Only Track.
The Practice Pathway will be open through the 2030 application cycle. Beginning in 2031, all applicants for HALM certification must successfully complete an ACGME-accredited HALM fellowship.