ABMS
Medical abbreviation · Medical Specialty
| Stands for | American Board of Medical Specialties |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ABMS stands for American Board of Medical Specialties, a medical specialty abbreviation.
Nonprofit organization whose 24 member boards certify physicians in specialties and subspecialties in the United States, such as internal medicine, surgery and pediatrics. Board certification signals that a physician has completed accredited training and passed examinations beyond basic licensure.
Example: Hospital bylaws require ABMS or AOA board certification within five years of residency.
Usage notes
Certification is voluntary under state licensing law but expected by most hospitals and insurers. Member boards run continuing certification programs that replaced lifelong certificates in most specialties. Osteopathic physicians may instead certify through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The ABMS traces its origins to 1933.
Related abbreviations
More medical specialty abbreviations
- A&I – Allergy and immunology
- ACGME – Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- Anes – Anesthesiology
- Cards – Cardiology
- CCM – Critical care medicine
- CT – Cardiothoracic (surgery)
- Derm – Dermatology
- ECFMG – Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
- EM – Emergency medicine
- Endo – Endocrinology
- ENT – Ear, nose and throat (otolaryngology)
- FM – Family medicine
See all 47 medical specialty abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.