Reply #22: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Board Certification is not by state law but

[uppityperson]

the American Board of Medical Specialties.

http://www.abms.org/about_board_certification/means.aspx

Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification—and the Gold Star—demonstrate a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice.
The Gold Star signals a board certified physician’s commitment and expertise in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting. Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organizations look for the Gold Star as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty.

About the Certification Process.

Certification by an ABMS Member Board involves a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation that is designed and administered by specialists in the specifi c area of medicine. Learn more about how a physician becomes board certified.

At one time, physicians were awarded certificates that were not time-limited and therefore did not have to be renewed. Later, a program of periodic recertification (every six to 10 years) was initiated to ensure physicians engaged in continuing education and examination to keep current in their specialty.

However, in 2006, ABMS’ 24 Member Boards adopted a new gold standard for re-certification with a continuous ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program for all specialties. MOC uses evidence-based guidelines and national standards and best practices in combination with customized continuing education so physicians demonstrate their leadership in the national movement for healthcare quality. MOC also requires proof of continuing education and experience in between testing for re-certification.

http://www.boardcertified.com/default.aspx?section=bcmeaning

Physicians can legally practice medicine by being licensed by the state or territory in which they intend to practice. Licensure is not specialty specific, and only sets the minimum requirements to diagnose and treat patients. As a result, physicians can claim to be qualified to practice a medical specialty without any demonstration to an independent certifying body that they in fact possess the qualifications they claim. The most reliable indication of a physician’s qualification to practice a medical specialty is certification of the physician’s qualifications by an independent and objective medical specialty board. Currently, the most widely recognized and accepted medical specialty certification is that granted by a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

While BoardCertified.com identifies a physician’s specific area of medical specialty, this website is not intended to be a source for board certification verification. Each area of medical specialty maintains its own board which oversees physician credentialing within that particular area of medicine. Membership in medical associations and societies also exemplify a physician’s elevated expertise in that given area.

To verify a particular physician’s board certification credentials, association or society affiliations, we encourage you to contact the appropriate group directly. Please find contact information and direct website links to various medical boards, associations, and affiliations below:

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY:

American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
2915 Vine Street
Dallas, TX 75204
Telephone: [phone]
Online: www.abog.org

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
409 12th St., S.W., PO Box 96920
Washington, DC 20090-6920
Telephone: [phone]
Online: www.acog.org

American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society
409 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2188
Telephone: [phone]
Online: www.agosonline.org

Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Online: www.socrei.org

http://www.injuredworker.org/Library/Medical/Doctors_(Non-IME)/Board_Certified.htm

What does "board certified" mean--is it different from being licensed?

Yes, it is different. Every physician must hold a license to practice medicine. Medical boards in U.S. states and other jurisdictions (such as Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and so forth) issue licenses. These boards have legal authority to issue licenses, investigate and discipline practitioners, and regulate the practice of medicine within their state or territory.

In addition to licensing, some physicians may be board certified in their specialty. These boards are different from the state boards that issue licenses. Practitioners of a certain medical specialty can establish a specialty board or professional association. The specialty board or association determines appropriate qualifications (such as examinations, competency demonstrations, or training) which show an acceptable minimum level of knowledge and awards a certificate or certification to those practitioners who meet the qualifications. Every recognized medical specialty and many subspecialties have established boards to examine the qualifications of physicians practicing that specialty. Typically, physicians who have completed a period of training ("residency") in a particular specialty and who pass an examination given by the board of that specialty are then qualified to become "board certified."

Traditionally, when a physician says s/he is 'board certified', s/he is claiming to be certified by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. There may be other boards issuing similar certifications; requirements may be similar or different.