The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is one of 24 medical specialty certification boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABEM certifies emergency physicians who meet its educational, professional standing, and examination standards. Its mission is to protect the public by promoting and sustaining the integrity, quality, and standards of training in and practice of emergency medicine.

Emergency Medical Services: Diplomates of any member board of the ABMS can now become board certified in emergency medical services (EMS). The first certification examination will be administered in the fall of 2013. Eligible diplomates have three application pathways to certification – a practice pathway, practice-plus-training pathway, and a training pathway. ABEM will accept applications between Oct. 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013.

Hospice and Palliative Medicine: The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) will administer the certifying examination in hospice and palliative medicine on Oct. 4. Physicians may apply through one of four pathways – ACGME-accredited fellowship training in hospice and palliative medicine, unaccredited fellowship training, practice-plus-training, and past certification with the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ABHPM). Application pathways through unaccredited fellowship training, practice-plus-training, or past certification with ABHPM will end June 1.

Internal Medicine–Critical Care Medicine: Diplomates of the ABEM now have the ability to become board certified in critical care medicine (CCM). On Sept. 21, 2011, a joint program between the ABIM and ABEM was unanimously approved. Emergency physicians can now supplement their emergency medicine residency training by participating in internal medicine–sponsored CCM fellowships. Upon completion of CCM training, these individuals would be eligible to seek board certification.The ABIM will administer the certifying examination in critical care medicine on Nov. 14. ABEM will accept applications between March 1 and June 1.

Medical Toxicology: ABEM will administer the certifying examination in medical toxicology on Nov. 12. ABEM diplomates and diplomates of ABMS boards other than the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) may apply to ABEM if they have completed an ACGME-accredited 2-year fellowship program in medical toxicology. ABEM will accept applications through April 16. Diplomates of ABP or ABPM must submit their applications through ABP and ABPM, respectively.

Sports Medicine: The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) will administer the certifying examination in sports medicine on July 19-21. ABFM will also administer the examination to specifically designated candidates on Nov. 7-12. Contact ABEM for additional information on the November examination. ABEM diplomates who have completed ACGME-accredited fellowship training in sports medicine must submit their sports medicine applications to ABEM between Feb. 1 and June 1 if they wish to take the examination in July.

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine: ABPM will administer the certifying examination in undersea and hyperbaric medicine on Oct. 1-12. ABEM diplomates who have completed ACGME-accredited fellowship training in undersea and hyperbaric medicine must submit their undersea and hyperbaric medicine applications to ABEM between March 1 and July 2.

To request a certification application for one of these subspecialties, please write or call the ABEM office. Eligibility criteria for ABEM diplomates are available on the ABEM website, www.abem.org.