the abam certification and recertification examination december 11, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
The ABAM Certification and
Recertification Examination
December 11, 2010
Introduction to the ABAM Examination
Purpose: To identify physicians with the knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within the specialty of Addiction Medicine.
ABAM-certification involves a rigorous test designed & administered by specialists in the field of Addiction Medicine. Certification closely parallels ABMS standards. Select criteria must be met to sit for the examination.
To date, ABAM has certified nearly 2,100 Physicians in Addiction Medicine.
ABAM-Certifiedby ABMS Board
Breakdown of ASAM Certified By ABMS Board (ASAM Certified 4,267)
General Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
1%
Emergency Medicine (ABEM)
1%
Neurology (ABPN)0%
Obstetrics & Gynecology
(ABOG)1%
Surgery (ABS)0%
Other ABMS Certified
5%
Pediatrics (ABP)1%
Internal Medicine (ABIM)12%
Family Medicine (ABFM)
13%
Psychiatry (ABPN)27%
Non ABMS Certified39%
Psychiatry (ABPN)
Family Medicine (ABFM)
Internal Medicine (ABIM)
General Preventive Medicine(ABPM)
Neurology (ABPN)
Pediatrics (ABP)
Emergency Medicine (ABEM)
Surgery (ABS)
Obstetrics & Gynecology(ABOG)
Other ABMS Certified
Non ABMS Certified
ABAM-Certified by Specialty
Breakdown of ASAM Certified by Specialty
General Preventive Medicine
3%
Emergency Medicine
1%
Addiction Psychiatry
2%
Anesthesiology2%
Pediatrics 2%
Internal Medicine17%
Family Medicine20%
Psychiatry35%
Addiction Medicine18%
Psychiatry
Family Medicine
Addiction Medicine
Internal Medicine
General Preventive Medicine
Addiction Psychiatry
Pediatrics
Anesthesiology
Emergency Medicine
Value of ABAM Certification to Physicians
Treatment centers, hospitals, & managed care orgs. actively recruit
ABAM-certified members to provide direction and leadership for their programs. Many organizations require Medical Directors be certified in Addiction Medicine. Physicians who hold ABAM-certification qualify to receive a waiver from the special
registration requirements of the Controlled Substances Act for the provision of medication-assisted opioid therapy.
For those physicians interested in medical school faculty appointments, board certification enhances an application.
State hospitals & medical facilities call on ABAM-certified Physicians for testimony on issues and legislation related to substance abuse & treatment.
The widely-recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2008 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require such MBHOs to have policies & procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA-recognition supports ABAM-certified physicians’ eligibility for credentialing by these MBHOs.
Certification provides credibility with 3rd-party payers when advocating for patient treatment.
Number Certified by Year in Addiction Medicine
Pass Rates 1986 (76%) 1987 (79%) 1988 (83%) 1990 (84%) 1992 (89%) 1994 (83%) 1996 (79%)1998 (80%) 2000 (86%) 2002 (85%) 2004 (88%) 2006 (85%) 2008 (86%)
2010- 830 applicants
To Do Prior to the Exam
Download your electronic permit & schedule your
preferred Prometric test center. (477 test centers nationally)
Review the Tutorial on the ABAM Web Site
http://www.abam.net/take-the-exam/default.aspx
Confirm your testing appointment & verify your test time 7 days prior to the exam. (Test times vary)
Exam Day
Get to the Test Center 30 minutes early.
Don’t be late for the exam.
Bring to the test center
- A copy of your electronic permit
- Government-Issued Identification
- Test Center Confirmation, Address & Phone #
- Snacks
Examination Schedule
Optional Tutorial 15 minutes
Block 1: 50 Items 60 Minutes
Block 2: 50 Items 60 Minutes
Block 3: 50 Items 60 Minutes
Block 4: 50 Items 60 Minutes
Block 5: 50 Items 60 Minutes
Optional Break Time 15 Minutes
Optional Survey
Total: 5.5 Hours
Possible Break Time Up to 30 minutes
Reviewing the Exam Tutorialon the ABAM website
Instructions to Download Tutorial on the ABAM website
The Instructions to access the tutorial look like this:[This only works in Windows, not on Macs.]
Instructions for Installing and Using the ABAM Certification/ Maintenance of Certification Examination Orientation MaterialsInstalling the ABAM Certification/Maintenance of Certification Examination Orientation Materials:•Double-click the ABAM Install icon.
17 Sample Questions Available on the website
Computer Examination
Computer Examination
Good Luck on the Exam.