Chicago, IL, October 29, 2025: The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) is pleased to announce that the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has approved its request to provide a pathway for qualified International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to become certified in Aerospace Medicine.

To be eligible for this pathway, IMGs must have successfully completed a non-ACGME-accredited Aerospace Medicine residency, achieved Aerospace Medicine certification in another country or by another certification organization which ABPM deems equivalent, and fulfilled all other eligibility criteria.

“Aerospace Medicine is a small and highly specialized field and ABPM is excited to offer an avenue for qualified IMGs to become certified,” said ABPM Chair, Heather O’Hara, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, FACPM. “As the commercial spaceflight industry continues to grow, increasing the number of skilled Aerospace Medicine specialists is critical. Providing an avenue to recognize the achievements of Aerospace Medicine IMGs through ABPM certification is a win for everyone.”

ABPM will open the IMG pathway for Aerospace Medicine in March 2026. Qualified physicians should check the ABPM website in early 2026 for details and eligibility requirements.

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.