Top 11 General Practitioner Certifications

Certifications are an important way for general practitioners to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in their field. They can help a practitioner stand out from the competition when applying for jobs, as employers may be more likely to hire someone with certifications that demonstrate their commitment to professional development and mastery of the subject matter. Certifications also provide evidence of a practitioner’s ability to learn and apply complex concepts, which can be especially valuable in highly competitive job markets. Additionally, certifications can give practitioners access to resources, such as continuing education courses or research opportunities, which can further enhance their skillset.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for General Practitioners and explain how they can help advance a general practitioner's career.

What are General Practitioner Certifications?

General practitioner certification is a designation awarded by medical boards to physicians who have completed additional training in a specific area of medicine. It is intended to recognize their expertise and experience and demonstrate their commitment to continuing medical education. General practitioners are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medical advice or treatment, and they provide primary care services such as diagnosis, management of chronic conditions, preventive care, health promotion, and referrals to specialists when necessary. With general practitioner certification, these physicians can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of primary care that are most important for patient safety and quality outcomes.

Having general practitioner certification can be beneficial for both the physician and their patients. For the physician, it demonstrates their commitment to professional excellence and promotes credibility among colleagues and peers; it also may increase job opportunities or lead to higher pay. For patients, having access to a certified general practitioner means they can trust that their doctor has specialized knowledge in primary care that can help them better manage their health. Furthermore, it increases patient satisfaction as certified general practitioners are more likely to stay up-to-date with advances in medicine and provide quality care.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research and understand the requirements for general practitioner certification before beginning the process. Be sure to have a comprehensive understanding of all necessary paperwork, tests, and other requirements that may be necessary for certification. Additionally, be sure to check with your local governing body regarding any additional requirements that may be specific to your area.

Related: What does a General Practitioner do?

Top 11 General Practitioner Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to General Practitioners today.

1. American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is a non-profit, independent medical specialty board that certifies physicians who specialize in family medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABFM's mission is to promote excellence in primary care through physician certification and lifelong learning.

It typically takes three years to complete the requirements for certification by the ABFM. This includes completing an accredited residency program in family medicine, passing a written exam and an oral exam, and meeting other requirements such as continuing medical education credits.

To get certified by the ABFM, you must first complete an accredited residency program in family medicine. Once you have completed your residency, you can apply to take the ABFM Certification Examination. After passing both parts of the examination, you will need to submit documentation verifying completion of your residency training and other requirements such as continuing medical education credits.

The cost for taking the ABFM Certification Examination varies depending on when you register for it. Generally speaking, it costs $1,500 for early registration and $2,000 for late registration.

2. American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is a non-profit, independent organization that certifies physicians who specialize in internal medicine and its subspecialties. ABIM certification is the gold standard for demonstrating that a physician has the knowledge and experience to provide excellent patient care in the field of internal medicine.

It takes approximately two years to complete the ABIM certification process. The first step is to become board eligible by completing an accredited residency program in internal medicine or one of its subspecialties. After completing their residency, candidates must pass an exam administered by ABIM to become board certified.

To become board certified, candidates must take and pass both a written exam and an oral exam. The written exam consists of multiple choice questions on topics such as medical ethics, diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. The oral exam focuses on clinical skills such as physical examination techniques, laboratory tests interpretation, diagnostic reasoning, and case presentations.

The cost of taking the ABIM exams varies depending on the specialty chosen. For example, the cost for taking the Internal Medicine Certification Exam is $1,895 while the cost for taking Subspecialty Certification Exams range from $2,395-$3195.

3. American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP)

The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) is a professional organization that certifies and evaluates osteopathic physicians in the specialty of family medicine. It is one of the 24 medical specialty boards recognized by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The AOBFP's mission is to promote excellence in patient care through certification, assessment, and lifelong learning for osteopathic family physicians.

It takes approximately two years to complete the certification process with the AOBFP. During this time, applicants must complete a minimum of three years of post-doctoral training in an accredited family medicine residency program, pass both written and oral examinations, and demonstrate proficiency in areas such as diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic diseases.

To become certified by the AOBFP, applicants must first submit an application to the board along with all required documentation. This includes transcripts from medical school, proof of completion of a family medicine residency program, letters of recommendation from faculty members or colleagues, and a valid license to practice medicine in their state. Once all documents have been submitted and reviewed by the board, applicants will be invited to take both written and oral exams. Upon successful completion of these exams, applicants will receive their certification from the AOBFP.

The cost for applying for certification with the AOBFP varies depending on individual circumstances; however, most applicants can expect to pay between $1,000-$2,000 USD for application fees alone. Additional costs may include exam fees ($500-$700 USD), travel expenses for attending oral exams ($200-$400 USD), and other miscellaneous costs associated with completing applications or obtaining necessary documents.

4. American College of Physicians (ACP)

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is a national organization of internists and subspecialists in internal medicine. It was founded in 1915 as the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM). The ACP is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of patient care and advancing excellence in health care through education, research, and advocacy.

It takes approximately three years to obtain the ACP designation. To become an ACP member, you must be a physician who has completed at least two years of postgraduate training in internal medicine or its subspecialties, have been board certified or board eligible for at least five years, and have demonstrated leadership and service to the profession.

In order to get the ACP designation, you must submit an application along with your curriculum vitae (CV), documentation of board certification or board eligibility status, a letter from your program director confirming completion of two years of postgraduate training, and letters from two current ACP members attesting to your professional qualifications. After submitting your application materials, you will need to pass an oral examination administered by a panel of current ACP members.

The cost for obtaining the ACP designation varies depending on whether you are a member or nonmember. For members, it costs $1,500 plus any applicable taxes; for nonmembers it costs $2,000 plus any applicable taxes.

5. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is a professional organization that represents the interests of nurse practitioners (NPs) across all specialties. AANP was founded in 1985 and has grown to be the largest professional membership organization for NPs in the United States, with more than 270,000 members. The mission of AANP is to empower all NPs to advance quality health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership.

To become an AANP member, you must meet certain criteria. You must be a licensed NP in good standing with your state board of nursing or hold a faculty appointment at an accredited school of nursing; have completed at least 500 hours of clinical practice as an NP within the past two years; and have a current national certification from one of the approved certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP), or Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Once you meet these criteria, you can apply for membership online on the AANP website. The annual cost for membership is $145 for regular members and $95 for students. Membership includes access to exclusive resources such as continuing education opportunities, discounts on conferences and publications, networking opportunities with other NPs, and access to advocacy tools.

In addition to becoming an AANP member, you may also choose to become certified by one of the approved certifying bodies mentioned above. Each body has its own set of requirements which may include completing a certain number of continuing education credits or passing an exam. The cost and time required will vary depending on which certifying body you choose and whether or not you already have some experience in the field.

6. American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is a professional organization that represents and serves the interests of physician assistants (PAs). It is the only national organization for PAs in the United States, and its mission is to promote quality health care through the advancement of the PA profession.

To become a member of the AAPA, you must be certified as a PA by either the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or another certifying body approved by the AAPA. You must also have completed an accredited PA program within five years of applying for membership.

In order to join the AAPA, you must first submit an application, which includes providing proof of certification, completing a background check and paying an initial membership fee. The cost of joining varies depending on your level of experience and whether you choose to pay annually or join as a lifetime member. Annual dues range from $90-$250 per year, while lifetime memberships range from $1,000-$2,500.

Once you are accepted into the AAPA, you will gain access to many benefits including discounts on continuing education courses, access to job postings and career resources, networking opportunities with other PAs and more. Additionally, as a member of the AAPA you can take advantage of advocacy efforts at both state and federal levels in order to help advance legislation that supports PAs and their patients.

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

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is a non-profit organization that is responsible for certifying physician assistants in the United States. It was established in 1975 and is recognized by all 50 states as the official certifying body for physician assistants.

To become certified, physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). The PANCE is a computer-based test that covers medical knowledge and clinical skills. The exam consists of 300 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately five hours to complete.

In order to take the PANCE, applicants must have completed an accredited physician assistant program and have passed all required courses. Applicants must also submit an application to NCCPA along with a fee of $475. Once approved, applicants will receive their Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, which will include instructions on how to register for the exam.

Once they have passed the PANCE, applicants will be eligible for certification from NCCPA. Upon certification, they will receive a certificate of completion and be listed in the NCCPA registry as a certified physician assistant.

NCCPA certification is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years by completing 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits and paying an annual renewal fee of $200.

8. American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is a professional organization that certifies pediatricians in the United States. The ABP is one of 24 medical specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABP was established in 1933 and is responsible for setting standards and assessing the qualifications of physicians who specialize in pediatrics.

It typically takes seven to eight years to become board-certified by the ABP. This includes four years of medical school, three years of residency training in pediatrics, and passing both written and oral exams administered by the ABP.

To become board-certified, physicians must first complete an accredited residency program in pediatrics, then apply to take the qualifying exam administered by the ABP. Once they pass this exam, they can apply to take the certification exam. Upon successful completion of both exams, they will be certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics (DABP).

The cost to become board-certified varies depending on when you apply and which exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it costs approximately $1,500-$2,000 for both exams combined.

9. American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is a professional organization for emergency medicine physicians. It was founded in 1968 and is now the largest and oldest national medical specialty organization representing emergency physicians in the United States.

Membership to ACEP requires that you be an MD or DO licensed to practice medicine in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. You must also have completed an accredited residency program in emergency medicine, or have at least one year of clinical experience in emergency medicine.

It typically takes up to two weeks to become a member of ACEP after submitting your application and all required documents. Once approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your membership benefits.

The cost of joining ACEP depends on your status as a physician: $325 for active members, $175 for associate members, and $50 for resident/fellow members.

10. American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is a non-profit organization that certifies medical specialists in the United States. It is composed of 24 member boards, each representing a different specialty, such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. The ABMS works with its member boards to ensure that physicians who have achieved board certification have met rigorous standards for education, training, and experience in their specialty area.

It typically takes several years to become board certified by the ABMS. This includes completing an accredited residency program in the specialty area, taking an exam administered by the relevant member board, and meeting any other requirements set forth by the board.

In order to get board certified through the ABMS, you must first apply to take an exam administered by one of its member boards. Applications are available on each board’s website or can be requested from their offices. Once your application has been received and approved, you will be sent information about registering for the exam and paying the associated fees.

The cost of getting board certified through the ABMS varies depending on which member board you are applying to and which type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, fees range from around $1,000-$2,500 for initial certification exams and $400-$800 for recertification exams every 10 years.

11. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is a non-profit organization that provides certification to occupational therapists. It is the only nationally recognized certification program for occupational therapists in the United States. The purpose of NBCOT is to ensure that certified occupational therapists have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide safe and effective services to their clients.

To become certified by NBCOT, an individual must meet certain requirements including passing the NBCOT Certification Exam. This exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as patient assessment, intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation; professional standards; ethics; health promotion and wellness; and research methods.

In order to be eligible for the NBCOT Certification Exam, an individual must have completed an accredited occupational therapy educational program. Additionally, individuals must also possess a current license or certificate from their state of practice before they can apply for the exam.

The cost of taking the NBCOT Certification Exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 USD to take the exam at a testing center in the United States or Canada. There may also be additional fees associated with scheduling your appointment or rescheduling if necessary.

Do You Really Need a General Practitioner Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of medical career you want to pursue and the requirements in your state or country. A General Practitioner Certificate (GPC) is a postgraduate certificate that is awarded after completing an accredited program in general practice. This certificate is often required for those who are interested in seeking licensure as a physician, nurse practitioner, or other health care provider.

For those looking to work in primary care settings, the GPC may be essential for obtaining licensure and employment opportunities. Depending on where you live, some states may require all physicians—regardless of specialty—to have a GPC before they can practice medicine. Other states may only require those who specialize in family medicine or internal medicine to hold a GPC. Therefore, it’s important to research your local laws and regulations before deciding if you need this certification.

In addition to legal requirements, having a GPC can also help you stand out when applying for jobs or promotions within the medical field. The certificate demonstrates that you have taken the time and effort to gain additional training beyond what was required for licensure; employers will recognize this commitment and may be more likely to hire you over another candidate without the same level of education.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a General Practitioner Certificate depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If your area requires it for licensure or if it would benefit your job prospects, then it might be worth pursuing. However, if neither of these apply to your situation, then obtaining this certification may not be necessary.

Related: General Practitioner Resume Examples

FAQs About General Practitioner Certifications

1. What is a General Practitioner Certification?

Answer: A General Practitioner Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's knowledge and experience in providing primary care services in a medical setting. It is awarded by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and requires completing an approved course of study and passing an exam.

2. How long does it take to get a General Practitioner Certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to complete the requirements for a General Practitioner Certification varies depending on the program you choose, but typically takes between two and three years.

3. What are the benefits of having a General Practitioner Certification?

Answer: Having a General Practitioner Certification can provide many benefits including increased job security, recognition among peers, higher wages, and greater career opportunities. It also demonstrates your commitment to providing high-quality patient care.

4. What types of courses do I need to take to obtain my General Practitioner Certification?

Answer: The courses required for obtaining your General Practitioner Certification vary depending on the program you choose, but typically include courses in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical ethics, and clinical decision making.

5. How much does it cost to obtain my General Practitioner Certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining your General Practitioner Certification will depend on which program you choose and what other fees may be associated with it such as registration fees or examination fees. Generally speaking, the total cost can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.