Top 11 Hospitalist Certifications

Certifications for a hospitalist in the job market are important for several reasons. First, certifications demonstrate to potential employers that a hospitalist has the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care. Certification also shows that the hospitalist is committed to their profession and has taken steps to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest advances in medicine. Certifications can also enhance a hospitalist's marketability by demonstrating expertise in certain areas of medicine, such as critical care or geriatrics. Finally, certifications often come with additional pay and benefits, making them attractive options for prospective employers.

This article reviews the top certifications for Hospitalists and explains how they can help advance a hospitalist's career.

What are Hospitalist Certifications?

Hospitalist certification is a credential that recognizes the specialized knowledge and skills of hospitalists, or physicians who specialize in providing care to patients in a hospital setting. Hospitalists are typically responsible for managing the overall care of hospitalized patients, from admission to discharge. This includes overseeing medical tests, diagnosing and treating illnesses, administering medications and treatments, coordinating with specialists and other healthcare providers, and providing education to patients and families.

Hospitalist certification demonstrates that a physician has met standards of excellence in the field of hospital-based medicine. These standards include completing specialized training, passing an examination, and showing proficiency in core competencies such as patient safety, evidence-based medicine, quality improvement processes, communication skills, ethical decision-making, team collaboration and system-level management.

Having a hospitalist certification can help increase job prospects for physicians looking to specialize in this field. It also serves to demonstrate the physician's commitment to delivering high-quality patient care within the hospital setting. Certification may provide employers with assurance that the physician is highly qualified for the position based on their knowledge and expertise related to caring for hospitalized patients. Additionally, it can help strengthen a physician's reputation among colleagues as well as peers in other areas of medicine.

Pro Tip: If you are considering becoming a certified hospitalist, make sure to research the different certifications available and determine which one best fits your needs. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in hospitalist certification requirements and regulations.

Related: What does a Hospitalist do?

Top 11 Hospitalist Certifications

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

1. American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hospitalist Certification

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hospitalist Certification is a certification program for physicians who specialize in hospital medicine. The certification is designed to recognize physicians who have achieved a level of expertise in the practice of hospital medicine and demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care to patients in the hospital setting.

To obtain ABIM Hospitalist Certification, physicians must first pass an initial certification exam. This exam covers topics such as patient safety and quality improvement, clinical decision making, communication and collaboration, and professional development. After passing the initial certification exam, physicians must complete additional requirements including maintaining a valid medical license, completing at least two years of practice experience in hospital medicine, and participating in continuing medical education activities related to hospital medicine.

The cost of obtaining ABIM Hospitalist Certification varies depending on the individual physician’s circumstances. Generally speaking, the cost includes an application fee (which can range from $400-$600), an examination fee ($800-$1000), and any additional fees associated with meeting the requirements for certification (such as continuing medical education).

In total, it typically takes about one year for a physician to complete all the requirements necessary for ABIM Hospitalist Certification.

2. American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM) Hospitalist Certification

The American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM) Hospitalist Certification is a certification that recognizes the knowledge and expertise of physicians who specialize in providing care to hospitalized patients. It is designed to demonstrate a physician’s commitment to excellence in hospital medicine and patient care. To obtain AOBIM Hospitalist Certification, physicians must pass an exam administered by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The exam consists of two parts: a written component and an oral examination.

The written component of the exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical ethics, patient safety, hospital operations, disease management, and quality improvement. The oral examination focuses on clinical decision making, communication skills, and practice management. Both components must be completed within three years in order to be eligible for certification.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also meet certain requirements in order to become certified. These include completing at least two years of postgraduate training in internal medicine or its subspecialties; being board certified or board eligible in internal medicine; having an active license to practice medicine; and demonstrating experience in hospital medicine through either direct patient care or teaching activities related to hospital medicine.

The cost for AOBIM Hospitalist Certification varies depending on the applicant’s status with the AOA. For those who are already members of the AOA, the cost is $1,000 for both parts of the exam combined. For non-members, the cost is $1,200 for both parts combined. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining necessary documentation or taking review courses prior to taking the exams.

3. American College of Physicians (ACP) Hospitalist Certification

American College of Physicians (ACP) Hospitalist Certification is a voluntary certification program for physicians who specialize in hospital medicine. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills required to provide comprehensive care to hospitalized patients. The certification process involves an assessment of the physician’s knowledge, clinical experience, and professional practice.

The ACP Hospitalist Certification is valid for 10 years from the date of completion. To become certified, candidates must meet eligibility criteria including: being board-certified in internal medicine or family medicine; having at least two years of full-time clinical experience as a hospitalist; completing an approved hospitalist training program; and passing a written examination.

The cost for the ACP Hospitalist Certification program varies depending on the type of membership you have with ACP. For non-members, the fee is $1,500 plus applicable taxes. For members, the fee is $1,250 plus applicable taxes.

Once you have completed all requirements and passed the exam, you will receive your certificate in approximately six weeks after your exam date.

4. American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Hospitalist Certification

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Hospitalist Certification is a certification program for family physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients. This certification requires that the physician demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of hospital medicine. The certification process takes approximately one year to complete and includes an online application, a written examination, and an oral examination.

To get ABFM Hospitalist Certification, applicants must first submit an online application which includes information about their medical training and experience as well as any other relevant qualifications. Once the application is reviewed and approved by the ABFM board, applicants must then pass a written examination which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient management, clinical decision-making, communication skills, and health care systems. Finally, applicants must pass an oral examination which tests their knowledge in areas such as hospital operations and quality improvement initiatives.

The cost of obtaining ABFM Hospitalist Certification varies depending on the type of exam taken; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exams such as registration fees or travel expenses.

5. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Hospitalist Certification

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Hospitalist Certification is a certification program designed to recognize nurse practitioners who have achieved a high level of expertise in providing care to hospitalized patients. The AANP Hospitalist Certification is an optional, voluntary certification that demonstrates a commitment to excellence and professional development in the field of hospital medicine.

In order to be eligible for the AANP Hospitalist Certification, applicants must be currently licensed as a nurse practitioner and have at least two years of experience providing direct patient care in an acute care setting. Applicants must also have completed at least 500 hours of clinical practice in hospital medicine within the last three years.

The AANP Hospitalist Certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, pharmacology, laboratory tests, and ethical considerations related to hospital medicine. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $395 for members or $495 for non-members.

Once certified, nurse practitioners are required to maintain their certification by completing 50 hours of continuing education every five years in order to remain certified. Recertification fees are $295 for members or $395 for non-members.

6. The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Certified Hospitalist Program

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Certified Hospitalist Program is a comprehensive program designed to recognize and certify hospitalists who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field. The program is based on the SHM Core Competencies for Hospital Medicine, which are established by the SHM Board of Directors and are reviewed and updated regularly.

To become certified, an individual must pass an exam that covers the SHM Core Competencies for Hospital Medicine. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge in areas such as patient care, communication, leadership, quality improvement, safety, and evidence-based medicine. The exam can be taken at any Prometric Testing Center or online through a secure web portal.

The certification process typically takes 8-12 weeks from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with supporting documentation such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. Applicants must also pay a fee of $1,500 to take the exam. After passing the exam, applicants must maintain their certification by completing continuing education activities every two years.

The SHM Certified Hospitalist Program is designed to recognize hospitalists who have achieved a high level of expertise in their field and demonstrate commitment to providing quality care for their patients. It is an important credential for those seeking advancement in their careers or looking to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in hospital medicine.

7. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certified Physician Assistant-Hospitalists Program

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certified Physician Assistant-Hospitalists Program is a certification program designed to recognize physician assistants who have achieved excellence in the practice of hospital medicine. The program is open to all PAs who have completed an accredited PA program, are certified by the NCCPA, and have at least two years of experience practicing as a PA in a hospital setting.

The certification process includes completing an online application, passing a written exam, and completing an oral examination. The written exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as medical knowledge, clinical decision making, patient management, and communication skills. The oral examination consists of case presentations and interviews with board-certified physicians or other healthcare professionals.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the certification process. The cost for the entire certification process is approximately $1,500 USD.

8. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Hospitalists Program

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Hospitalists Program is an innovative program designed to improve the quality of care for hospitalized children. The program provides pediatric hospitalists with the specialized training and knowledge necessary to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for hospitalized children.

The program consists of a two-year fellowship that includes clinical rotations, didactic instruction, and research opportunities. During the first year of the fellowship, participants will gain experience in various aspects of pediatric hospital care including patient management, medical decision making, communication skills, and quality improvement. In addition, they will also receive training in leadership development and practice management. During the second year of the fellowship, participants will focus on developing their own clinical practice by completing a mentored project or research project related to pediatric hospital care.

To be eligible for the AAP Pediatric Hospitalists Program, applicants must have completed an accredited residency in pediatrics or a related field and be board-certified or board-eligible in pediatrics. Applicants must also have a valid medical license from their state of residence at the time of application.

The cost of participating in this program varies depending on whether you are accepted as a fellow or as an attending physician. Fellows pay a nominal fee for tuition and materials while attending physicians pay an annual fee for access to all program activities.

Overall, it takes approximately two years to complete the AAP Pediatric Hospitalists Program from start to finish.

9. American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Emergency Department Hospitalists Program

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Emergency Department Hospitalists Program is a program designed to help emergency departments provide quality care for their patients. The program provides training and support to emergency department physicians, nurses, and other staff members who are responsible for patient care in the emergency department.

The program consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on practicum. The online course is self-paced and covers topics such as patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, documentation, communication, and more. It typically takes about 8 weeks to complete the online portion of the program.

The hands-on practicum involves working with experienced ED hospitalists in a real-life setting to gain experience in providing quality care in an emergency department setting. This includes shadowing ED hospitalists during their shifts and participating in clinical simulations. The practicum usually lasts 4 weeks.

To get the ACEP Emergency Department Hospitalists Program certification, you must successfully complete both the online course and the hands-on practicum. After completing the program, you will receive a certificate from ACEP that verifies your successful completion of the program.

The cost of the ACEP Emergency Department Hospitalists Program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,500-$2,000 for both parts of the program combined.

10. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors in Hospitals Program

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors in Hospitals Program is a certification program that recognizes mental health counselors who have achieved a high level of professional competence in providing clinical mental health services to patients in hospital settings. The program requires mental health counselors to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the delivery of quality care, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention.

To become certified as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Hospitals through NBCC, applicants must meet three requirements:

1. Hold a master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in counseling;

2. Have completed at least 3 years of full-time post-master’s supervised experience providing direct clinical services in a hospital setting; and

3. Pass the NBCC Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Hospitals Examination.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention strategies, ethical/legal considerations, and professional issues. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and costs $295 USD. Once the exam is passed and all other requirements are met, applicants will receive their official certification from NBCC.

11. National Registry for Advanced Practice Nurses in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities

The National Registry for Advanced Practice Nurses in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities (NRAPN) is a voluntary certification program that recognizes the advanced practice nursing (APN) skills and knowledge of nurses who work in hospitals and long-term care facilities. This certification is designed to demonstrate that nurses have met the highest standards of excellence in their specialty.

To become certified, nurses must complete an application process that includes providing professional references, submitting transcripts from an accredited nursing program, passing a written exam, and completing continuing education requirements. The entire process typically takes two to three months to complete.

The cost of the NRAPN application fee is $250.00 plus applicable taxes. Once approved, there is an annual renewal fee of $100 plus applicable taxes.

The NRAPN certification demonstrates to employers and other healthcare professionals that a nurse has achieved a high level of expertise in their specialty area, which can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries.

Do You Really Need a Hospitalist Certificate?

No, you do not necessarily need a hospitalist certificate to practice as a hospitalist. However, it is important to note that many hospitals and medical facilities prefer to hire physicians who have completed a hospitalist certificate program. This is because the certificate program provides specialized training in the care of hospitalized patients, which can be extremely beneficial for both the patient and the hospital.

Moreover, completing a hospitalist certificate program may give you an advantage when applying for certain positions or promotions in the healthcare field. It can also help demonstrate your commitment to providing quality care for hospitalized patients by showing that you have taken the time to acquire additional skills and knowledge in this area.

In conclusion, while having a hospitalist certificate is not necessarily required to work as a hospitalist, it can provide you with some advantages and make you more attractive to employers. Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not obtaining this certification would be beneficial for your career goals.

Related: Hospitalist Resume Examples

FAQs About Hospitalist Certifications

1. What is a hospitalist certification?

Answer: A hospitalist certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients. The certification is provided by the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

2. What are the requirements for becoming board certified as a hospitalist?

Answer: Requirements vary depending on the specialty, however typically one must complete an accredited residency program in internal medicine or family medicine, hold an unrestricted medical license in at least one US state, pass an exam administered by ABPS, and have a minimum of two years of experience working as a hospitalist.

3. How long does it take to become board certified as a hospitalist?

Answer: It typically takes three to four years to become board certified as a hospitalist. This includes completing residency training and passing the required examination.

4. What are the benefits of becoming board certified as a hospitalist?

Answer: Becoming board certified in hospital medicine provides recognition from peers and employers that you have achieved advanced knowledge and skills beyond those required for basic medical licensure. It may also lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries for those who are certified.

5. Is there any continuing education requirement for maintaining my hospitalist certification?

Answer: Yes, all ABPS-certified physicians must complete continuing medical education (CME) credits each year in order to maintain their certification status. These credits must be obtained through approved CME programs or activities that are related to your field of practice.