Physicians

The ABIHM focuses on education and support of physicians on their journey toward personal and professional balance. We provide science-based academic content, and encourage heart-felt understanding of the principles of integrative holistic medicine, while also promoting the personal development of our Diplomates.

The ABIHM will discontinue offering its certification exam after early 2013, after which time a new specialty, The American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABoIM), will begin to offer such certification at a higher, more broadly recognized standard through the American Board of Physician Specialties. The ABoIM will require a fellowship level of certification as a prerequisite to sit for the exam, but active Diplomates of the ABIHM will be forgiven the fellowship requirement if they undergo ABoIM certification by 2016. Thus, candidates have 3 remaining opportunities to undergo ABIHM certification as a means to have the fellowship requirement waived, should they wish to pursue ABoIM certification. For those who do not wish to pursue ABoIM certification, the ABIHM foresees offering our recertification process well into the future. Please see our Specialty Page for more detailed information.

The Certification Process for Diplomate Status of the ABIHM

The certification and maintenance of certification process is a multi-layered experience involving education, personal growth, and transformation. This is divided into three phases:

Phase one : Candidate Status

Begin the ABIHM Application by submitting the following information:

• Contact information as required
• A copy of your current medical license to practice as an MD or DO in the USA or Canada
• Documentation of your post-graduate medical education—residency diploma if board eligible; specialty certificate if board certified—(current or expired board certification in an ACGME approved specialty is required to receive certification from the ABIHM, but candidates who are board eligible may sit for the exam and obtain certification once the ABIHM receives documentation of specialty certificate)
• A 600-1000 word essay describing your journey and growth of interest in integrative holistic medicine, including a focus on one of the ten principles of holistic medicine
• Payment of the certification fee (required for registration).

The Curriculum Study Guide will be provided to you electronically. Also see Resources for Learning for further resources regarding preparation.

Phase Two : Review Course and Examination

• You may choose to attend the optional Annual Review Course, which provides a comprehensive overview of IHM in preparation for the examination.
• Take the written or computer based ABIHM Examination (choose one date below):
  • May 7th-18th, 2012 (computer based in 200 cities within the US and Canada)
  • November 2nd, 2012, at the conclusion of the Annual Review Course (paper and pencil exam)
  • January 28th-February 9th, 2013 (computer based)

Phase Three : Maintenance and Growth

• You must attend a variety of CME-based course work in IHM of your choosing. This will increase and improve your knowledge of the integrative arena.
• You must attend a variety of growth activities (also of your choosing) to enhance your capacity to approach patients in a holistic method.
• You must take a brief, online examination based on 6 chapters of the current Curriculum Study Guide, 2 questions per chapter.
• You must submit a case presentation or growth log in academia or the business of integrative holistic medicine, if not in clinical practice.