When seeking medical care, understanding a physician’s qualifications is an important step for patients. A medical degree and a license allow a doctor to practice medicine, but board certification indicates a physician’s specialized knowledge and dedication to a higher standard of practice. This credential demonstrates a commitment to maintaining expertise in a specific area of medicine. The process is rigorous, involving years of specialized training and continuous professional assessment.
Defining the Credentials Certification Versus Licensing
All physicians must possess a medical license granted by a state medical board to practice legally within that state. Licensing is a mandatory regulatory function confirming a physician has met the minimum requirements for safe practice. This typically involves graduating from an accredited medical school, completing postgraduate training, and passing standardized examinations like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). This license is generally renewed periodically and is not specialty-specific.
Board certification is a voluntary process that goes beyond basic licensing requirements. It is granted by specialty boards, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), not by the state. Certification signifies that a physician has achieved an advanced level of training and expertise within a specific medical specialty or subspecialty. While a doctor must be licensed to treat patients, board certification is a qualification highly valued by hospitals and insurance providers.
The National Landscape How Many Doctors Are Certified
The vast majority of practicing physicians in the United States hold board certification from one of the two main credentialing organizations. A 2020 census of licensed physicians reported that an estimated 83% of all licensed doctors maintained active certification from either the ABMS or the AOA. This high percentage reflects the expectation that specialists will continually validate their expertise within the modern healthcare environment.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), representing 24 member boards, certifies doctors of medicine (MDs) across 40 specialties and 89 subspecialties. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) certifies doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) through its own system of specialty boards. While the exact percentage varies by specialty, the overall figure demonstrates that certification is the norm for active practitioners. This level of participation helps ensure that patients are treated by physicians who have met an independently set standard of specialized competence.
The Process of Certification and Maintenance
The journey to initial board certification begins after medical school with the completion of a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This residency training lasts between three and seven years, depending on the chosen specialty. Upon successful completion of this training, the physician must pass a comprehensive, written specialty examination administered by the certifying board.
Once initial certification is obtained, it is not permanent and must be maintained through a process known as Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or Continuous Certification. This mandatory cycle, typically involving a 7- to 10-year period, ensures the physician remains current in medical knowledge and practice. The MOC program requires the physician to demonstrate professional standing by holding a valid medical license and engaging in ongoing professional development, including continuing medical education credits.
A physician must also periodically demonstrate cognitive expertise, often by passing a recertification examination or participating in an ongoing longitudinal assessment process. Many boards require physicians to participate in performance improvement activities that assess and enhance the quality of their clinical practice. This multi-faceted maintenance process demonstrates the physician’s sustained commitment to lifelong learning and quality patient care.
Practical Application Verifying a Physician’s Status
Patients can easily verify a physician’s board certification status using publicly available online resources. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) provides “Certification Matters,” a resource allowing the public to search for any physician certified by one of its 24 member boards. This tool confirms the doctor’s certification status, the year of initial certification, and participation in the Maintenance of Certification program.
For physicians certified by the American Osteopathic Association, the organization offers the AOA Profiles service, which functions as the primary source for credential verification. Checking these official resources ensures patients receive accurate, up-to-date information on a doctor’s specialty credentials. Using these tools gives patients confidence that their chosen physician has met the highest standards of specialized medical training and continuous professional development.