http://www.abim.org/about/default.aspx Established in 1936, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has worked to ensure the quality of our nation’s health care by certifying physicians who practice internal medicine and one or more of its 19 subspecialties – which constitute one in four practicing physicians. ABIM is not a membership society, educational institution or licensing body, but a non-profit, independent physician evaluation organization committed to continuously improving the profession for the public good.

1. About the American Board of
INTERNAL MEDICINE
ABIM AND BOARD THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
CERTIFICATION ABIM Board Certification is a continuous process of lifelong learning. Internists
Established in 1936, the American Board of and subspecialists are initially certified at the end of training by passing a secure exam
Internal Medicine (ABIM) has worked to ensure that is administered by ABIM. Physicians certified in internal medicine or one of its
the quality of our nation’s health care by certifying subspecialties must periodically pass a secure exam and complete an intensive self-
physicians who practice internal medicine and one assessment and practice review to remain ABIM Board Certified.1
or more of its 19 subspecialties – which constitute
ABIM is the largest of the 24 certifying boards under the American Board of Medical
one in four practicing physicians. ABIM is not
Specialties (ABMS) umbrella. ABMS sets the standards for physician certification in
a membership society, educational institution or
the United States and assists its member boards in developing and implementing
licensing body, but a non-profit, independent
standards to evaluate and certify physician specialists.
physician evaluation organization committed to
continuously improving the profession for the
ABIM FAST STATS
public good.
• BIM has issued more than 390,000 initial certificates in internal medicine and
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Through ongoing board certification programs, its subspecialties in the United States and its territories since its founding.2
physicians are able to test and enhance their
• From 2001–2011 ABIM certified 76,587 physicians in general internal medicine.3
clinical judgment and skills. Consumers are also
able to check if their physician has the knowledge • rom 2001–2011 ABIM certified more than 8,400 cardiologists and more than
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needed to deliver high quality care. 5,300 medical oncologists.4
ABIM Board Certification is recognized as a • ore than 80,000 physicians are currently enrolled in ABIM’s Maintenance of
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marker of a physician’s professionalism, knowledge Certification program.5
and skill.
The exams and other assessment tools used by
ABIM to assess a physician’s competency are CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE: THE DIFFERENCES
developed by physician-experts in academic
medicine and in practice. These tools incorporate CERTIFICATION LICENSURE
the best evidence in medicine with a practical
Members of the American Board Members of the Federation
focus on how medical care is delivered in
of Medical Specialties of State Medical Boards
physicians’ offices.
ABIM’s Board Certification and Maintenance Independent, national State governed non-profit organizations
of Certification programs provide internists non-profit organizations with varying requirements
and its subspecialists, including cardiologists,
Evaluate and certify the knowledge, skills
rheumatologists, nephrologists and others, with 510 Walnut Street Issue and regulate medical licenses
Suite 1700 Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 3699
and attitudes of physician specialists
a relevant, useful and continually improving 1.800.441.ABIM www.abim.org
means of demonstrating their professional Voluntary – Not required to
competence and development. Required to practice medicine
practice medicine
REFERENCES
1
I
nternists certified prior to 1990 have 3
ABIM, 2011 Certificate Statistics
certification that is valid indefinitely. 4
ABIM, 2011 Certificate Statistics
2
ABIM, April 2012 ®
5
ABIM, February 2012
510 Walnut Street Suite 1700 Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 3699
Copyright ©2012 American Board of Internal Medicine. All rights reserved
ABIM is one of 24 medical specialty boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). 1.800.441.ABIM www.abim.org E104-09-2012