ABMS Celebrates Major Milestone in Medical Certification
New Report Reveals More Than One Million U.S. Doctors are ABMS Member Board Certified
Recently announced statistics reveal that over one million physicians and medical specialists hold certifications from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). These certifications offer an independent assessment of a doctor’s competencies, ensuring that patients can trust the professionals they choose for their healthcare.
The Significance of Certification
“The achievement of having over one million board-certified medical professionals is a notable milestone for ABMS and its 24 affiliated Member Boards,” stated Richard E. Hawkins, MD, who serves as ABMS President and CEO. “This accomplishment underscores the trustworthiness of board certification and reflects our diplomates' dedication to maintaining high standards that are crucial for delivering excellent patient care.”
Key Findings from the Report
The annual ABMS Board Certification Report highlighted that 1,025,104 physicians are currently certified, marking an increase of over 27,000 from the prior year. This data was tallied as of June 30, 2025, presenting a clear upward trend in board certification.
The report shares fascinating insights about the ABMS certification landscape. Key highlights from the findings include:
- ABMS Member Boards issued a total of 34,619 newly specialized certificates and 17,528 additional subspecialty certificates.
- The typical age of an ABMS diplomate is 53 years, while the average age is noted at 56 years.
- Women make up about 34.3% of active diplomates, while men account for 59.4%, and there’s approximately 6.2% of which genders remain undisclosed.
- Among the age group of 35 to 44 years, there is a relatively balanced representation of men (46.5%) and women (43.7%), with around 10% of this cohort's gender unlisted.
Online Tools for Patients
ABMS also offers two free online resources to aid the public in finding board-certified specialists. Patients can utilize the CertificationMatters.org website to check whether their chosen physician is certified by an ABMS Member Board. Additionally, the ABMS Data Viewer presents an organized view of board certification information, including data on age, gender, specialties, and geographic distributions.
About the American Board of Medical Specialties
Founded in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sets the standards for physician certification across the United States. Its primary goal is to enhance patient care quality through the development of educational and professional guidelines across 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties. With over one million certified medical specialists, ABMS remains committed to the continuous enhancement of patient care. For further details about ABMS and its efforts, interested individuals can either visit their official website or call.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the significance of the ABMS certification?
The ABMS certification serves as a benchmark of a physician's knowledge and skills, assuring patients of their quality of care.
2. How many doctors are currently certified by ABMS?
As per recent reports, there are over 1,025,000 certified doctors under ABMS.
3. What resources does ABMS provide to the public?
ABMS offers online tools, including CertificationMatters.org and the ABMS Data Viewer, to help patients find certified physicians.
4. What is the average age of ABMS board-certified doctors?
The median age of ABMS-certified doctors is around 53 years, with the average age being 56 years.
5. How does ABMS ensure high certification standards?
ABMS sets rigorous educational and professional standards for its 24 Member Boards to certify physicians, ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
