In 2016, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) announced the recognition of addiction medicine as a new subspecialty under the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). ABPM administers the board exam for Addiction Medicine (ADM).
To read the full history, visit CME Report 4-I-19.
For more information about the transition to board certification, please visit ABPM FAQs.
Attention: Physicians who have or will take the ABPM Addiction Exam
ABPM announced the requirements for its Diplomates to maintain ABPM Certification during the transitional period from the current Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program to a new and innovative Continuing Certification Program (CCP). The transitional period will begin February 1, 2020 and continue through December 31, 2022 (Transitional Period).
What this Means to You:
- APBM is moving away from an every 10-year examination to an innovative and longitudinal assessment model
- During a transition period of time, ABPM will be retaining the core requirements of MOC while increasing flexibility and providing credit for future Continuing Certification Program
- This is a positive step for Diplomates toward a less burdensome process
- ASAM will have a session on transitioning from MOC and CCP presented by Chris Ondrula, Executive Director, ABPM and Michael Weaver, MD, Exam Chair
For more information, visit ABPM's Transitional MOC to Continuing Certification Program (CCP)
Announcements
November 30, 2020 - The American Board of Preventive Medicine and ASAM Announce a Four-Year Extension of the Practice Pathway for Addiction Medicine Continue Reading
August 5, 2020 - Eligible DOs can obtain the certification after spending 1,000 practice hours on Addiction Medicine over a two-year period. Continue Reading
June 30, 2020 - In response to the possibility of a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus during administration of the 2020 Initial Certification Examinations, the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) announced today that it will offer a live, remotely proctored testing option for the 2020 Initial Certification Exam Cycle. Continue Reading
June 19, 2020 - The American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine is pleased to announce that the AOA Conjoint Addiction Medicine Examination Committee has posted the requirements for Subspecialty Certification Eligibility and Clinical Practice Pathway on their website. Continue Reading
April 10, 2020 - Effective as of April 1, 2020 and continuing through December 31, 2022, Diplomates who meet the qualifications below will not be required to complete the Transitional MOC Part 2 (CME), Part 4 (Improvement in Medical Practice) or the Patient Safety Course (PSC) requirements. ABPM will recognize these qualified Diplomates as fully participating in MOC through the remainder of the ABPM’s Transitional MOC Period. Continue Reading
Application Window
The online exam application period opens in March 15, 2021 and closes on June 30, 2021.
In official collaboration with ASAM, Michigan Cares has created a course to help physicians determine if their experience meets ABPM’s requirements for the practice pathway. ASAM recommends physicians interested in obtaining ADM subspecialty certification to visit, https://micares.msu.edu/enroll/index.html
Physicians interested in taking the exam and becoming certified in addiction medicine need to complete the application on the ABPM website.
Exam Administration
The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) is providing a variety of exam dates and locations.
A variety of exam dates and locations will be offered from October 2021 through November 2021.
The exam is approximately 3-3.5 hours long. Applicants will be notified of approval electronically by ABPM. Approved applicants will have the opportunity to select their exam location and date upon approval notification.
For more information about the exam, please visit ABPM's Exam Information
Certification Pathways
Physicians with a Primary ABMS Board
Physicians who have a primary ABMS board (including current addiction medicine specialists with a primary ABMS board certification) may apply to take the exam to become or continue to be an addiction medicine specialist; however, this pathway will expire in 2025.
Upon expiration of the practice-based pathway, a one-year fellowship will be required to become an addiction medicine specialist for those who hold a primary ABMS board certification.
Physicians with ABAM Certification
Diplomates who passed ABAM’s 2015 certification/recertification exam may qualify for expedited ABPM certification without having to sit for the exam. These Diplomates must submit formal application for consideration and approval through the ABAM Diplomate Pathway.
Physicians with AOA Board Certification
Beginning with the ABPM 2020 Examination Cycle, AOA board certification will be recognized as an acceptable primary certificate for physicians seeking subspecialty certification in Addiction Medicine from ABPM. Physicians who have successfully completed an AOA-accredited residency, are currently certified by at least one AOA board and who have completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Addiction Medicine are eligible to apply to the ABPM for Certification in Addiction Medicine through the ACGME-accredited Fellowship Pathway.
Physicians without a Primary ABMS Board
ASAM has identified the ABPM complementary, special, and alternative pathways available through preventive medicine residency training programs as a viable pathway for addiction medicine physicians seeking a primary board certification. Once certified in preventive medicine through the ABPM, addiction medicine physicians would be eligible to sit for the subspecialty board exam in addiction medicine through 2021 and beyond.
For more information about other certification pathways for eligibility, please visit
ABPM.