ABHPM Diplomates

• Status and Verification of Certification

• Maintenance of Certification

• Directory Updates

• Transition to ABMS Certification

Status and Verification of Certification

American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ABHPM) certification is valid for a period of eight years. Certificates issued by ABHPM display their expiration date.

To verify a diplomate's certification status, please search our online database. Only physicians with active, valid certificates are displayed by the database. For verbal or written confirmation of certification status, call the AAHPM office at (847) 375.4712. The certification verification process will continue through 2015.

Maintenance of Certification

As part of the transition to an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)/American Osteopathic Association (AOA) exam in 2008, the ABHPM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) self-assessment modules have been suspended. ABHPM diplomates will be supported through the full term of their certificate provided they keep a valid medical license current and maintain their underlying primary board certification. There are no other MOC requirements at this time, but ABHPM does encourage diplomates to participate in ongoing education in the field of hospice and palliative medicine. AAHPM can provide information about a variety of continuing medical education opportunities.

Directory Updates

To update your contact information in the diplomate directory, please send an email to info@aahpm.org and reference the ABHPM diplomate directory or contact AAHPM by phone at 847.375.4712.

Transition to ABMS Certification

ABHPM diplomats who wish to continue to be certified after expiration of their ABHPM certificate will need to take the new certification examination offered by ABMS within the grandfathering period. The grandfathering period is currently expected to run from 2008 - 2012. The first ABMS-recognized examination will be administered on October 29, 2008.

ABHPM diplomates who also hold certification from one of the ABMS co-sponsoring boards will be eligible for the ABMS certification during the grandfathering period without taking a fellowship. During the grandfathering period, ABHPM diplomates will need to provide evidence of clinical activity in hospice and palliative medicine in the two years preceding the application for the examination. After the grandfathering period is over, only those who complete an ACGME-accredited hospice and palliative medicine fellowship will be eligible for certification as a specialist. For eligibility criteria for admission to the ABMS sponsored certification exam, click here.

Diplomates will apply for the ABMS exam through their own primary board (such as ABIM or ABFM). The ABMS co-sponsoring boards have not yet released any instructions about the specific documentation that will be required to demonstrate eligibility. As soon as further information about the application process and forms is made available by the ABMS boards, it will be posted on this site.