CERTIFICATION BY THE ABP

The ABP seeks to improve the quality of training and practice of pathology by continual review of the program requirements of graduate training in conjunction with the Residency Review Committee for Pathology (RRC) and by improving the certification process. In this way, the ABP serves the public, the profession, and the individual physician.

I. Certification in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, or Combined Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. The granting of a certificate to a physician by the ABP denotes that the pathologist is a physician who:

A. Successfully completed a graduate medical education program in pathology approved by the RRC and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
and
B. Has been endorsed by the pathology training program director and recommended by other physicians familiar with the candidate’s competence
and
C. Has successfully completed a voluntary evaluation process designed and administered by the ABP to assure the public and other physicians that, at the time of certification, the candidate had knowledge, skills, and other abilities that the ABP deems important for the practice of pathology.

II. Subspecialty Certification. Pathology is a broad discipline; therefore, it is appropriate that some certified pathologists seek greater knowledge and expertise in one of the component areas of pathology. Presently, the ABP issues subspecialty certificates in blood banking/transfusion medicine, chemical pathology, cytopathology, dermatopathology (in conjunction with The American Board of Dermatology), forensic pathology, hematology, medical microbiology, molecular genetic pathology (in conjunction with The American Board of Medical Genetics), neuropathology, and pediatric pathology.

Certification in a subspecialty requires additional training and an additional examination. Pathologists with subspecialty certification may choose to limit their activities entirely or in part to a specific area of competence or they may place special emphasis on it in their practices. The achievement of subspecialty certification does not reflect on the ability of other pathologists to practice in that area.

III. Maintenance of Certification. Primary and subspecialty certificates issued by the ABP after January 1, 2006 are time-limited (10 years). Diplomates with one or more time-limited certificates must participate in and successfully complete the ABP MOC process. (See MOC booklet of information). 

IV. Certification Status. Diplomates of the ABP are required to accurately state their certification status in curriculum vitae, publications, directories, letterhead, etc. A diplomate whose certificate has expired must not claim to be board certified, and all descriptions of certification status must be modified accordingly. If an individual represents that he/she is certified by the ABP when such is not the case, the ABP will notify appropriate authorities, including but not limited to credentialing agencies, licensing boards, and law enforcement agencies.   

This page was last modified on January 2, 2007.