What is the American Board of Pediatrics?

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is the non-profit organization dedicated to serving children by certifying that a pediatrician (a physician who treats children) is knowledgeable and continues to learn over the course of time that they practice. Certified pediatricians are sometimes referred to as diplomates of the ABP.

Does having a medical degree mean that my pediatrician is board certified?

No. A medical degree (MD) means that they graduated from medical school. Medical schools provide broad knowledge for practicing general medicine. The training usually is the same, no matter whether the doctor goes on to practice pediatrics or another specialty. After medical school, physicians enter specialty residency training programs to become the type of doctor they want to become, such as an internist or pediatrician. At that time, they are required to obtain a license to practice from the state in which they train. A physician is only eligible to apply for certification after successfully completing a specialty residency training program. The only way to know if your pediatrician is certified is to verify certification on our website or verify certification at www.ABMS.org

What does it mean to be certified? Are all pediatricians board-certified?

Board certification is a voluntary process that goes above and beyond state licensing requirements for practicing medicine. It is an ongoing commitment by physicians to continually expand their knowledge in a medical specialty, like pediatrics, or in a subspecialty, such as pediatric hematology–oncology. Once pediatricians are certified, they must continue to demonstrate learning through a formal Maintenance of Certification program if they want to remain certified. Therefore, not all pediatricians are board certified.

How does a pediatrician become certified?

After physicians graduate from medical school, they enter a three-year accredited residency training program focused on pediatrics. After residency, some pediatricians also go on to complete further accredited training in pediatric subspecialty fellowship programs (see list of subspecialties below), while others enter into general pediatric practice. After completion of training, the training program director verifies to the ABP that the candidate is competent in all aspects of the practice of pediatrics (medical knowledge, patient care, communication skills, practice improvement, professionalism, and understanding how the medical system works). Once the ABP has received evidence of these competencies, candidates are eligible to take the initial certifying examination of the ABP, the first part of a rigorous ongoing process of assessing the knowledge and skills of a pediatrician to determine if he or she meets the ABP’s standards of excellence. Upon passing this exam, candidates are board-certified. You might see the certificate from the ABP hanging in your pediatrician’s office.

Why is it important that I choose a board-certified pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist to care for my child?

Pediatricians know about the diseases, symptoms, and developmental standards that are specific to children from birth through adolescence and into adulthood. Maintaining good health — and addressing the illnesses and conditions that threaten health — often is not the same in children as in adults. Board certified pediatricians demonstrate their participation in ongoing learning and show how they can apply quality improvement in the care of their patients.

There is value, not only in seeing a physician who understands the medical needs of infants, children, and adolescents, but who also becomes familiar with your child’s growth, development, and health patterns — and with your concerns as a parent. The long-lasting relationship that develops between your child and their pediatrician is an important component of your child’s care and wellness.

How do I know if my pediatrician is certified?

Anyone can find out whether their pediatrician is ABP-certified and participating in activities to maintain certification by using the verify certification feature on our website or by visiting CertificationMatters.org.

Can doctors call themselves pediatricians if they are not certified?

Yes. By definition, a pediatrician is a doctor who treats children. Practicing pediatricians have completed a three-year residency, focusing their training in specific knowledge about treating children, from infants to young adults. However, until they have passed an initial certification exam given by the American Board of Pediatrics, they cannot call themselves a board-certified pediatrician.

Is the American Board of Pediatrics the only organization that certifies pediatricians?

The American Osteopathic Board of Pediatricians also certifies pediatricians. Also, a doctor treating children may also be certified in another field, such as Family Medicine. Subspecialists (including allergists and immunologists) may be certified by other boards, too, but most physicians treating children are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

What is required for pediatricians to maintain their certification?

Board-certified pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists maintain their certification by maintaining a current, valid medical license and by participating in lifelong learning, an online assessment or proctored exam, and practice improvement activities every five years.

Note: Physicians certified before 1988 are not required to participate in Maintenance of Certification activities to stay certified, although many choose to document their excellence in this way.

What kind of subspecialists does the ABP certify?

The ABP awards certificates in general pediatrics and in the following pediatric subspecialty areas:

  • Adolescent Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Child Abuse Pediatrics
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Developmental-Behavioral
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology-Oncology
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Pulmonology
  • Rheumatology

Certificates are awarded in conjunction with other specialty boards in the areas of: Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Pediatric Transplant Hepatology, Sleep Medicine, and Sports Medicine.

My pediatrician has the letters FAAP behind his name. Does that mean he’s board certified?

FAAP stands for “Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics” and is awarded by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is a separate, membership organization that provides professional resources for its members and advocates for children and pediatricians in the United States. The AAP does not certify pediatricians, but board certification is required to become a fellow of the AAP (FAAP).

The AAP conducts, facilitates, and publishes peer-reviewed research. It also publishes information for parents and the public on its website and in print. The AAP is the largest provider of educational material for pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists in the world; however, the AAP does not certify pediatricians. Although initial board certification is required to become an AAP fellow (FAAP), there are other categories of AAP memberships that do not require certification.

I want to file a complaint against a pediatrician. Whom do I contact?

Please reach out to the medical licensing board of the state in which the physician practices.