An independent, not-for-profit organization, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is the only board in the specialty of Internal Medicine recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties - the highest standard, achieved by only 24 medical specialty boards. The ABIM's Board of Directors consists of national leaders in medical education, clinical practice, academic medicine, and research. We establish the standards for certification and maintenance of certification (or recertification), create examinations and constantly strive to make the criterion for Board certification as meaningful as possible. In doing so, we collaborate closely with other medical boards and organizations.
The ABIM was established in 1936 by the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association to serve as an evaluation and standard-setting organization. Successful candidates are awarded "Board Certified" status and are called "Diplomates." The ABIM certificate is recognized throughout the world as signifying excellence in the practice of Internal Medicine and its subspecialties.
While the certification process has been in place since 1936, the need to renew certificates every ten years is relatively new. We believe that only through periodic self-appraisal of one's practice, linked with ongoing education and periodic evaluation, can internists and subspecialists demonstrate that they have maintained the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to provide high quality medical care.
Any evaluating body needs to maintain autonomy so that its standards are credible to the public. An independent structure and philosophy are crticial because they help maintain a tight focus on the ABIM's most critical objective - the health and well-being of the patients we all ultimately serve.
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