Top 10 Family Physician Certifications

Certifications are important for family physicians in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and proficiency in their field. They provide employers with evidence that a physician has achieved a certain level of knowledge and skill, which can be used to evaluate the quality of care they will provide. Certifications also show potential employers that a family physician is committed to continuing education and staying up-to-date on medical advancements. This can give them an edge over other candidates when it comes to job opportunities. Additionally, certifications may give physicians access to exclusive positions or higher salaries than those without certifications.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Family Physicians, and explains how they can contribute to a family physician's career.

What are Family Physician Certifications?

Family physician certification is a process that helps to ensure that family physicians are providing quality and comprehensive care to their patients. It is an optional certification program offered by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) that requires family physicians to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide high-quality care in a variety of areas.

Family physician certification is designed to help family doctors stay current with advances in medical technology and practice standards, and it also encourages continuous professional development. To become certified, family physicians must pass an exam administered by the ABFM. This exam covers topics such as patient evaluation and management; prevention and health promotion; diagnosis and treatment; communication and interpersonal skills; medical decision making; ethics; research methods; public health principles; professional development, education, and training; management of clinical information systems; and leadership in healthcare delivery systems.

By obtaining family physician certification, a doctor can demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care for their patients. It also allows them to be recognized for their expertise in the field, giving them an edge over other non-certified providers when competing for jobs or promotions. Certification also provides access to special privileges such as being able to prescribe medications without having to obtain prior authorization from insurers or being able to prescribe controlled substances without additional licensure requirements. Finally, being certified often comes with reimbursement benefits – many insurers will reimburse more money for services provided by board-certified family physicians than those who are not certified.

Pro Tip: To ensure you are receiving the highest quality care from a family physician, look for certification through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). This board-certified designation indicates that your doctor has met rigorous standards and is up to date on the latest medical treatments.

Related: What does a Family Physician do?

Top 10 Family Physician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Family Physicians today.

1. American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies family physicians in the United States. It was established in 1969 to promote excellence in family medicine and to ensure that all certified family physicians possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

To obtain certification from the ABFM, a physician must complete an accredited residency program in family medicine and pass a comprehensive written examination. The exam covers topics such as diagnosis, management, preventive health care, and patient education. The exam is offered twice each year, typically in April and October.

The cost of taking the ABFM examination varies depending on when it is taken. For exams taken between April 2021 and March 2022, the fee is $1,500 for members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) or $1,800 for non-members.

In addition to passing the written examination, physicians must also meet certain criteria for recertification every seven years. This includes completing 150 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits every three years as well as passing a secure online recertification assessment every seven years.

Overall, obtaining certification from the ABFM requires significant effort and dedication but can be highly rewarding for those who are committed to providing quality care to their patients.

2. American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP)

The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides certification for osteopathic family physicians. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The AOBFP's mission is to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through certification and maintenance of certification processes.

It typically takes three years to complete the process and become certified by the AOBFP. During this time, applicants must complete a minimum of two years of postdoctoral training in an accredited program, pass a written examination, and demonstrate proficiency in clinical skills. Once these requirements are met, applicants can apply for board certification with the AOBFP.

The cost to apply for board certification with the AOBFP varies depending on which type of examination you choose to take. The initial application fee is $1,100 and includes both the written and oral examinations. Additional fees may be required for specialty examinations or recertification exams.

Once certified, physicians must maintain their certification by completing continuing medical education credits every two years and passing periodic recertification exams every ten years.

3. American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS)

The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is a non-profit organization that certifies physicians in various specialties. It is the third largest physician-certifying body in the United States, and it provides certification in more than 30 specialties and subspecialties. The ABPS was founded in 1933 and is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA).

To become certified by the ABPS, a physician must complete an approved residency program, pass a comprehensive written examination, demonstrate professional standing, and abide by ethical standards. Certification typically takes between two to three years to complete.

The first step to getting certified by the ABPS is to submit an application. This includes providing documentation of medical education, residency training, and board eligibility status. After submitting an application, candidates must then take a comprehensive written examination which consists of multiple choice questions covering all aspects of their specialty. Candidates must also provide evidence of professional standing such as letters from colleagues or employers attesting to their competence as well as demonstrating ethical behavior through adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics.

The cost for certification varies depending on the specialty but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,500 for initial certification and $500-$1,000 for subsequent recertification every seven years.

4. American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)

The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a professional organization for osteopathic family physicians. It is dedicated to the advancement of osteopathic medicine and the promotion of excellence in patient care. ACOFP offers members resources, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

It takes approximately four years to become an ACOFP member. To become a member, you must first complete medical school and obtain a Doctor of Osteopathy degree from an accredited college or university. After completing medical school, you must then pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2 examinations. Once these requirements are met, you can then apply for membership with ACOFP.

To apply for membership with ACOFP, you must submit an application form along with supporting documentation such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. The cost to apply for membership is $250 plus any applicable state or local taxes. Once your application has been approved, you will be required to pay annual dues which vary depending on your level of membership (student/resident/fellow/active/senior).

In addition to the application process, members must also fulfill continuing medical education (CME) requirements in order to maintain their active status with ACOFP. CME requirements vary based on the type of membership held but generally include completing at least 50 hours of CME every two years.

5. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is a professional medical organization representing more than 131,400 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The AAFP is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of health care for all individuals and families. It works to ensure that family physicians have the resources they need to provide comprehensive health care services in their communities.

It takes approximately three years of training to become certified by the AAFP. This includes completing a three-year residency program in family medicine at an accredited institution, passing a written exam and clinical skills exam administered by the AAFP, and meeting certain requirements for continuing education credits.

To get certified by the AAFP, you must first complete an accredited residency program in family medicine. After completing your residency program, you must then pass both the written exam and clinical skills exam administered by the AAFP. Once you have passed these exams, you must meet certain requirements for continuing education credits before being certified by the AAFP.

The cost of getting certified by the AAFP varies depending on factors such as your residency program fees and other costs associated with taking the exams. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 or more to become certified by the AAFP.

6. American College of Physicians (ACP)

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is a professional organization of internists, or physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect adults. It was established in 1915 and is the largest medical specialty society in the world.

It takes approximately two years to become an ACP member. To become a member, you must have a medical degree from an accredited school and be board certified in internal medicine. You must also complete a minimum of three years of post-graduate training in an accredited program and pass the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification exam. You must also be licensed to practice medicine in your state or country, maintain current licensure, and comply with all applicable laws governing the practice of medicine.

The cost to join ACP varies depending on your membership type. For example, for full members it is $450 per year; for associate members it is $225 per year; for international members it is $150 per year; and for student members it is $25 per year.

ACP offers many benefits such as access to educational resources, discounts on CME courses, networking opportunities with other professionals, advocacy efforts on behalf of internists, and more.

7. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is a non-profit organization that certifies physician assistants in the United States. It is responsible for setting and maintaining standards for physician assistant certification and recertification. The NCCPA works to ensure that physician assistants are qualified to practice medicine with supervision by a licensed physician.

To become certified, a physician assistant must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). This exam tests the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a physician assistant. To maintain certification, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and pass the Physician Assistant Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every ten years.

It typically takes about four months from the time you submit your application until you receive your results from the PANCE exam. After passing the exam, it can take up to six weeks for your certification status to be updated in NCCPA's system.

The cost of taking the PANCE exam varies depending on when you register, but it generally ranges from $475-$575. The PANRE costs $475 each time it is taken.

8. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is a professional organization that serves as an advocate for nurse practitioners and their patients. It provides resources, education, and support to help nurse practitioners provide the highest quality of care. The AANP works to advance the profession by promoting quality healthcare and advocating for nurse practitioner rights.

It takes approximately 6-12 months to become an AANP member. To become a member, you must be a registered nurse with an advanced practice degree or certification in nursing. You must also have an active state license in good standing.

In order to join the AANP, you will need to complete an application form and pay the membership fee. The current annual membership fee is $195 for individuals and $250 for organizations.

The benefits of joining the AANP include access to continuing education opportunities, discounts on conferences and publications, networking opportunities with other nurse practitioners, and advocacy efforts on behalf of nurse practitioners at the local, state, and national level.

9. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)

The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is a non-profit organization that provides assessments and certifications for physicians in the United States. It is responsible for administering the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which physicians must pass in order to practice medicine in the US. The NBME also offers a range of other exams and services, including specialty certification exams, continuing medical education programs, and international medical education programs.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the entire USMLE process, including taking all three steps of the exam. The cost of taking the USMLE depends on how many steps you take and which jurisdiction you are taking it in. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500 for each step of the exam.

10. International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD)

The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) is a professional organization that promotes the use of bone densitometry, or bone density testing, to diagnose and treat osteoporosis. The ISCD provides education and training in the use of bone densitometry to medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, technologists, and other healthcare providers. It also develops standards for equipment and procedures used in bone densitometry testing.

It takes approximately six weeks to receive certification from the ISCD after submitting an application. To become certified by the ISCD, applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of approved coursework in bone densitometry and passed an exam administered by the ISCD.

To apply for certification through the ISCD, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their educational qualifications and payment of a fee. The cost for certification depends on whether you are applying as a member or non-member of the ISCD. For members, it costs $225 USD; for non-members it costs $350 USD.

Do You Really Need a Family Physician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. Ultimately, whether or not you need a family physician certificate will depend on what kind of medical care you require and the type of insurance coverage that you have.

If you have health insurance through an employer or government program such as Medicare, then having a family physician certificate is not necessary as your provider can refer you to specialists if needed. However, if you are self-employed or do not have any form of health insurance, then having a family physician certificate may be beneficial. This is because it allows you to receive preventative care and treatment from one doctor instead of visiting multiple specialists. In addition, having a family physician certificate could allow for lower out-of-pocket costs due to negotiated rates with the provider.

Overall, it is important to consider your individual needs when deciding whether or not to obtain a family physician certificate. If preventative care and cost savings are important factors in your decision, then obtaining a family physician certificate may be beneficial for you.

Related: Family Physician Resume Examples

FAQs About Family Physician Certifications

1. How do I become a Family Physician?

Answer: To become a family physician, you must complete a four-year medical school program, followed by three years of residency training in family medicine. After completing the required education and training, you must pass an exam administered by the American Board of Family Medicine to be certified as a family physician.

2. What is the difference between a Family Physician and a General Practitioner?

Answer: A family physician is trained to provide comprehensive primary care for individuals and families across all ages, genders, diseases and body systems. They are trained to diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic illnesses. A general practitioner (GP) is also trained to provide primary care for individuals and families but focuses more on providing preventive care and health maintenance services than treating acute or chronic illnesses.

3. What type of continuing education do I need to maintain my certification as a Family Physician?

Answer: To maintain your certification as a family physician, you must complete at least 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years with at least 50 hours in Category 1 activities (live lectures, symposiums etc.). You must also pass the Maintenance of Certification Assessment every ten years to remain certified as a family physician.

4. Is there any reciprocity between state certifications for Family Physicians?

Answer: Yes, some states have reciprocity agreements that allow physicians who are certified in one state to obtain certification in another state without having to take additional exams or submit additional credentials. It is best to check with each individual state’s board of medicine for specific requirements.

5. What types of insurance will accept me if I am board-certified as a Family Physician?

Answer: Most major insurance companies accept board-certified family physicians including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna and Aetna among others. It is best to check with each individual insurer for specific coverage requirements before accepting any new patients.