American Board of Addiction Medicine

ABAM Certification

The ABAM certificate is recognized as signifying excellence in the practice of Addiction Medicine. It demonstrates that a doctor has met vigorous standards through intensive study, assessment, and evaluation. Certification is designed to assure the public that a medical specialist has successfully completed an approved educational program and an evaluation, including a secure examination designed to assess the knowledge, experience, and skills requisite to the provision of high quality patient care.

The next examination is scheduled for November 8, 2014.  Applications will be filed electronically through a new ABAM Candidate Portal, which will be on-line and available by Labor Day 2013 for the early filing deadline of October 31, 2013.  The 2014 application will be patterned after the 2012 application — use it as a guide for what will be required.  New applicants are encouraged to begin doing CMEs in addiction medicine to meet the 50 required Category 1 Hours.  Applicants can accrue the CMEs between 9.1.12 and 10.1.14 and are expected to have completed some CMEs in addiction medicine prior to filing an application.

Scores for 2012 Examinees will be sent no later than the end of March.  All successful 2012 Examinees will be enrolled in the 2013 ABAM Maintenance of Certification program which requires annual participation.

The ABAM Certified Physician:

Physicians certified by ABAM have the knowledge and skills to provide prevention, screening, intervention and treatment related to drug use disorders and addictions. These addictions can be to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, including illicit drugs and prescription medications. In addition, these physicians can recognize and treat the psychological and physical complications of addiction. ABAM-certified physicians have taken a rigorous, six-hour examination to verify that they are competent to be Addiction Medicine physicians.

Eligibility Criteria to Sit for the Examination:

Candidates seeking certification must meet the eligibility criteria specified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Candidates must complete all requirements, culminating in the successful completion of the cognitive examination. Each candidate must meet the eligibility requirements including the requisite pre-doctoral medical education, training requirements, licensure requirements, CME Requirements, Full Time Equivalency requirement, and the procedural requirements outlined in the application.

Download sample application. The 2014 application will be available in fall 2013.

Information on becoming certified with ABAM: