Becoming a licensed, board certified physician means meeting the most rigorous training and continuing education offered in the field of medicine.
Certification of physicians is done by medical specialty boards, recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA), as a way to tell consumers that the doctors with this credential have successfully completed approved training and have passed an evaluation process assessing their ability to provide quality patient care in their specialty.
Board certification is time-limited, and to maintain their certification, doctors are periodically reevaluated. They must present evidence of licensure and scope of their practice and pass an examination every 7 to 10 years, depending on the specialty.
Board certification is a good indication that your doctor has made a commitment to continuing education and is keeping up with the latest findings in his or her field.