American academy of pain management board certification

Next Pain Exam

September 16, 2023

Exam Resources

Practice and Training Requirements

Getting Prepared

Candidates who apply for subspecialty certification in pain medicine through the ABPMR must be ABPMR diplomates in good standing and must have a current, valid, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in at least one jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

In addition, applicants for the Pain Medicine Examination must satisfactorily complete 12 months of an ACGME-accredited fellowship in pain medicine that meets the following criteria:

• Training program occurred after completing residency and must be completed by the August 31 that precedes the examination date

• Applicant is recommended for admissibility to the Pain Medicine Examination by the fellowship program director upon successful completion of the training program

What to Expect on Exam Day

After applying for the Pain Examination, it's time to start preparing.

Click the link below for exam resources and information on exam logistics from the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Pain Examination Information

Exam Dates & Fees

Application Windows & Fees

On-Time

May 1 - June 15, 2023

• $1400 Fee
• $600 Processing Fee

Late

June 16 - July 1, 2023

• $1400 Fee
• $600 Processing Fee
• $500 Late Fee

$2,000

$2,500

Exam Dates

September 16 - September 30, 2023

Resources

About the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• The ABPMR is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports and serves the physicians who have gained or are working to achieve board certification in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

• Address:

  3015 Allegro Park Ln SW
  Rochester, MN 55902

• Phone: (507) 282-1776

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

© 2022 American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

© 2022 ABPMR

The Specialty of Pain Model, created by the American Board of Pain Medicine

The American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM) was founded in 1991 as the "American College of Pain Medicine".[1] The name was changed in 1994 to be more congruent with the nomenclature of other medical specialty boards. The mission of the American Board of Pain Medicine is to improve the quality of pain medicine.[2]

Goals and objectives[edit]

Goals[edit]

The following is a list of goals:[2]

1. Evaluate candidates who voluntarily appear for examination, and certify or recertify as "Diplomates in Pain Medicine" those who are qualified
2. Maintain and improve the quality of graduate medical education in the field of pain medicine by collaborating with related organizations
3. Provide information about the specialty of pain medicine to the public.

Objectives[edit]

The following is a list of objectives:[2]

1. Determine whether applicants have received adequate preparation in accordance with educational standards established by the ABPM
2. Create, maintain and administer comprehensive examinations in order to evaluate the knowledge and experience of such candidates
3. Issue certificates to those candidates found qualified
4. Develop standards and requirements for graduate medical education in pain medicine in collaboration with other concerned organizations and agencies
5. Serve as a central registry for public information about the certification status of physicians certified as "Diplomates of the American Board of Pain Medicine"
6. Provide information to the public and concerned entities about the rationale for certification in pain medicine
7. Facilitate discussion with the public, professional organizations, healthcare agencies, and regulatory bodies regarding education, evaluation and certification of pain medicine specialists.

Examination[edit]

ABPM administers a psychometrically-developed and practice-related examination in the field of pain medicine to applicants who have met requirements for qualification. Physicians who have successfully completed the ABPM credentialing process and examination are issued certificates as specialists in the field of pain medicine and designated as "Diplomates of the American Board of Pain Medicine". A list of currently certified ABPM Diplomats is available to medical organizations and other groups for dissemination to the public.[3]

The ABPM is not a recognized board by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It allows non-fellowship trained physicians, as well as those who completed unaccredited fellowships to become "board certified" by them. This is in contrast to the certificate issued to those who have completed an American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited fellowships which has national standards, and are regulated by the ABMS.[citation needed]

Initiatives[edit]

Another initiative of ABPM is to develop a full–fledged pain medicine residency training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.[citation needed]

Maintenance of Certification program[edit]

The American Board of Pain Medicine eliminated lifetime certification in 1998.[2] Certificates issued after 1998 expire after 10 years, creating a 10-year recertification cycle. Concurrently, ABPM created the American Board of Pain Medicine MOC (Maintenance of Certification) program.[4]

Recognition of ABPM certification in California and Florida[edit]

California[5] and Florida[6] recognize ABPM certification as equivalent to an American Board of Medical Specialties certification for advertising purposes, thereby permitting ABPM diplomates to represent themselves as "Board Certified" in pain medicine.

References[edit]

1. ^ "Weirton Medical Center | News". Weirtonmedical.com. 2009-03-07. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
2. ^ a b c d "About ABPM". Abpm.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
3. ^ "The American Board of Pain Medicine (find a physician through there diplomats state listing)". Mheresearchfoundation.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
4. ^ American Board of Pain Medicine "MOC® Examination Bulletin of Information"[permanent dead link] Retrieved 6 January 2012.
5. ^ "Welcome to the Medical Board of California - Specialty Board Advertising". Mbc.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-12-23. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
6. ^ "64B8-11.001 : Advertising - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register - FAC, FAW, eRulemaking". Flrules.org. Retrieved 2012-03-08.

External links[edit]

• Official website

What is the American Academy of Pain Management?

What is diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management?

What does board certified mean for doctors?

How many pain clinics are there in the US?