Who is ABEM Certified?

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), as well as many other ABMS member boards, has taken the position that the term “board eligible” will not be used to define a physician’s status with the Board. ABEM informs a physician who submits an application if he/she has met the credential requirements of the Board and then informs the physician of his/her assignment to take the qualifying examination.

The ABEM Board certification process consists of two examinations, the qualifying examination and an oral certification examination. A physician must pass the qualifying examination in order to be scheduled for an oral certification examination. A physician must pass both examinations to become certified as an ABEM diplomate. Certification is for a period of ten years. Certificates are dated from the date of the examination results letter or December 31 of the year in which the physician took the examination, whichever is earlier, through December 31 ten years hence.

In order to maintain ABEM board certification beyond the dates of the certificate, ABEM diplomates must participate in ABEM MOC, a program for continuous certification.

Verification of a Physician's Status with ABEM

ABEM will verify whether a physician is an ABEM diplomate. ABEM will also provide information on a physician’s status within the credentialing or examination process if the request includes a signed release from the physician.

Written Verification of Board Status

Requests for written verification of a physician’s status must be submitted in writing, accompanied by a $25.00 processing fee for each physician and verification letter requested.  Requests submitted by and mailed directly to the applicant, candidate or diplomate are not subject to the fee.

Requests should include the physician’s date of birth or last four digits of the social security number for identification purposes.

Payment may be made with a check, or by Visa or MasterCard credit card. ABEM will accept faxed or emailed requests only if the completed Credit Card Authorization form is included. ABEM cannot fax or email verification letters to the requestor. All verification letters are sent by first-class mail.