Chicago, IL; October 30, 2025: The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) announced today that the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has approved its request to transition from a Sponsoring Board to a Qualifying Board for the subspecialty of Medical Toxicology.
As a Sponsoring Board, ABPM accepted applications from eligible diplomates to take the Medical Toxicology certification exam. Those who passed became certified by ABPM in this subspecialty.
Beginning in 2026, ABPM diplomates interested in becoming certified in Medical Toxicology will apply directly to the subspecialty’s Administrative Board, the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Applicants who are deemed by ABEM to meet all requirements and pass the exam will become ABEM diplomates and will participate in ABEM’s continuing certification program.
“ABPM is grateful to ABMS and ABEM for this opportunity to better serve current and future Medical Toxicology diplomates,” said Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM. “By transitioning to a Qualifying Board, eligible ABPM diplomates can achieve Medical Toxicology certification and pursue their continuing certification goals, while ABPM streamlines its programs to better support its diplomate population.”
Current ABPM diplomates who possess time-limited Medical Toxicology certificates will begin participating in ABEM’s continuing certification program in 2026. Diplomates with questions about their Medical Toxicology certificates or next steps may contact ABPM staff at [email protected].
ABPM is an ABMS Member Board. Founded in 1948, ABPM works with the ABMS in the development of standards for the ongoing assessment and certification of over 12,000 physicians certified by ABPM in the specialties of Aerospace Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine; and in the specialties of Addiction Medicine; Clinical Informatics; Health Care Administration, Leadership, and Management; Medical Toxicology; and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.