The Board Certification Process
- Medical school (4 years) - earn MD or DO degree
- Residency (3-7 years) - training in a specific specialty at an accredited program
- Fellowship (1-3 years, optional) - subspecialty training (e.g. cardiology after internal medicine)
- Board examination - written and often oral exam administered by the specialty's ABMS or AOA board
- Certification issued - typically valid 10 years initially
- Continuing certification / MOC - ongoing education, practice assessment, and periodic reexamination to maintain certification
Board Certification vs State License
| State medical license | Board certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Required to practice | Yes (legal minimum) | No (voluntary) |
| Issued by | State medical board | ABMS member board or AOA-BOS |
| Confirms | Basic legal authority to practice medicine | Advanced specialty training + examination |
| Maintenance | Renewal + CME (varies by state) | MOC/CC: ongoing education + reassessment |
| Where to check | State board (see state directory) | certificationmatters.org / osteopathic.org |
The 24 ABMS Member Boards
Each board also certifies subspecialties. For example, the American Board of Internal Medicine offers subspecialty certification in cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, oncology, and more.
Why Board Certification Matters to Patients
- Standardized quality signal. A board-certified doctor has demonstrated competency beyond the state licensure minimum through independent examination.
- Ongoing accountability. Maintenance of certification requires continuing education and periodic reassessment, so a certified doctor is required to stay current.
- Insurance and hospital privileges. Many insurance networks and hospitals require or prefer board-certified physicians for credentialing.
- Recourse for concerns. ABMS boards can investigate and revoke certification for serious professional issues.
How to Verify Board Certification
- Go to certificationmatters.org (ABMS free public lookup)
- Enter the doctor's first name, last name, and state
- Results show current certification status, board, specialty, subspecialty, and initial certification date
- For osteopathic physicians (DOs), also check certification.osteopathic.org
Board certification also appears on every verified profile on The Doctor Directory. See how we verify doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does board certified mean for a doctor?
Board certification means a physician has completed advanced training in a medical specialty (typically a residency of 3-7 years) AND passed a rigorous examination administered by one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or a comparable osteopathic board. Certification is voluntary and must be maintained.
Is board certification the same as a medical license?
No. A state medical license is the minimum legal requirement to practice medicine and confirms basic competency. Board certification is voluntary, indicates specialized expertise, and requires additional training and examination beyond licensure. All practicing US MDs and DOs must have a state license; not all are board certified.
How do I check if a doctor is board certified?
Search the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) free public lookup at certificationmatters.org. For osteopathic physicians (DOs), also check the American Osteopathic Association certification lookup at osteopathic.org.