American Board of Pediatrics

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is a nonprofit organization that sets standards for certification in pediatrics. This process entails assuring the public that ABP board-certified pediatricians have completed an accredited residency training program, have successfully passed a robust evaluation of pediatric knowledge, and are engaged in maintaining certification through lifelong learning and quality improvement activities. The board accomplishes this goal by evaluating pediatricians to ensure continued competence throughout their careers. Founded in 1933, the ABP is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). An ABP certificate is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. At the time of certification, pediatricians are automatically enrolled in a program to maintain certification. Every five years, they complete a series of activities designed to ensure that they are staying current on medical advances and are actively improving the quality of care their practice or institution provides.

ABP evaluates pediatricians throughout their careers. First, physicians who have completed an ACGME-accredited training program in general pediatrics or in a pediatric subspecialty take an exam to determine whether they have mastered a strong base of knowledge that equips them to provide a high standard of care. Passing that initial exam earns certification for the physician.

No, board certification is voluntary, but may be required by hospitals, medical centers, and insurance companies for credentialing. To practice medicine, a pediatrician (or any physician) must have a medical license issued by the state or territory in which they work. A medical license sets minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients. Board certification declares a physician’s expertise in a specialty, like pediatrics. Maintaining board certification provides evidence that a doctor is keeping up with advances in his or her specialty. More than 110,000 pediatricians in the United States have been certified by the ABP. A pediatrician must be board-certified to be a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The ABP is governed by a board of directors, comprising 15 members. There are 10 board-certified pediatricians who work in education, research and clinical practice. One subboard chair represents the subspecialities. Two public members are non-physicians knowledgeable about the health and welfare of children and adolescents. Board members serve 6- or 3-year terms. The ABP President and Executive Vice President also are members. Officers, including the board chair, are elected on an annual basis for one-year terms. The ABP Nominating Committee submits candidates for board membership. Support for ABP activities come from fees paid by physicians applying for certification and maintenance of certification. Internally, the board is run by the President and CEO (currently David G. Nichols, MD, MBA) who is appointed by the board of directors. His eight-member senior management team includes experts in such fields as credentialing, examination development/administration, psychometrics, competency-based assessment, quality, finance, information technology, and operations.

The ABP recognizes that certified pediatricians are knowledgeable and motivated by a desire to provide the best possible care. However, research has uncovered gaps in the quality of health care delivered to children and adults. Pediatricians who participate in MOC learn how to measure quality of care and effectively fill the gaps in their own practice through quality improvement projects or a practice improvement module (PIM). In addition, pediatricians who participate in MOC demonstrate advanced knowledge and a commitment to lifelong learning. In this way, the four-part MOC process assures the public that pediatricians involved in MOC are continually demonstrating clinical competence.