1. The ABAM Certification and Recertification Examination
For the
Examination of
December 15, 2012

2. Introduction to the ABAM Examination
Purpose: To identify, for patients, physicians with the knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality
healthcare within the specialty of Addiction Medicine.
ABAM Certification involves a rigorous process of testing that is designed and administered by specialists in the field of Addiction Medicine. Certification closely parallels the standards set by the ABMS.
Select criteria are met to sit for the examination.
To date, nearly 2,100 Physicians have been Certified in Addiction Medicine by ABAM.
Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification— the Gold Star—demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice. It signals a certified physician’s commitment and expertise in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting. Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organizations look for certification as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty such as Addiction Medicine.
Key points:
Thirteenth Examination given and in a typical year approximately persons sit the exam every other year.
Computer Examination. Because it is a high stakes examination the exam is given under standardized conditions in over 300 secure prometric test centers around the country, as well as test centers in Canada.
The exam is around items given over a 7 hour period of time, in 8 blocks, with break time.

3. Who is ABAM Certified?

4. ABAM-Certified by Specialty

5. Value of ABAM Certification to Physicians
Treatment Centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations actively seek and recruit ABAM-Certified members to provide direction and leadership for their programs.
Several states (such as NJ) require their 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 their applications.
State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on ABAM-Certified Physicians for testimony on issues and legislation related to substance abuse & and treatment.
The widely-recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2008 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA 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 NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
Provides Credibility with third-party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Treatment Centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations actively seek and recruit ABAM Certified Members to provide direction and leadership for their programs.
Many states such as New Jersey require their medical Directors to be Certified in Addiction Medicine. ABAM Certification provides physicians with career opportunities, education, and access to experts in the field.
An ABAM-certified physician is one who has shown mastery of the knowledge expected of a physician practicing in the field of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Certification is an evolutionary process, and periodic demonstration of the mastery of current knowledge is a critical element.
Recognition by peers and CD staff as knowledgeable in addiction medicine.
State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on ABAM Certified Physicians for testimony and identifying legislation that affects substance abuse issues and treatment.
The widely recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 1999 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA to have policies and procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA recognition of addiction certified physicians gives added value to the ABAM certificate by making ABAM-certified physicians eligible to be credentialed by NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
Credibility with third party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Since its inception in 1986, ABAM has certified more than 3,300 physicians in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. ABAM also offers a subsection for those physicians interested in being certified as a Medical Review Officer.
The importance of ABAM Certification is in direct proportion to the credibility of the Certifying Organization, ABAM. How credible is ABAM? ABAM is represented in the AMA house of delegates, is recognized as a Specialty Code, and is a member of the Council of Medical Societies of American College of Physicians.
No physician can be interested in the field of addiction medicine without being involved in most if not all of the purposes toward which ABAM is working. Joining the significant others who are dedicated to these endeavors offers the individual physician a platform, a team, and a sounding board, all of which are needed before one can synthesize and fully develop scientific concepts. For a physician interested in addiction, there is no other professional option that offers the same opportunities for growth and development.
ABAM is constantly working to achieve specialty status for Addiction Medicine with the American Board of Medical Specialties.
For those physicians interested in faculty appointments (either voluntary or full time) at a medical school, the demonstration of certification by an outside recognized agency will serve to enhance their applications.

6. Number Certified By Year
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 (84%)
ABAM Certified

7. Test Centers Computer examination is on Saturday, December 15th
at Prometric Test Centers (477 Test Centers nationally.)
Prior to the Exam
Download your electronic permit to schedule your
preferred Prometric test center.
Practice by taking the Tutorial on the ABAM Web Site
Confirm your testing appointment & verify your test time
7 days prior to the exam. (test times vary)
Treatment Centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations actively seek and recruit ABAM Certified Members to provide direction and leadership for their programs.
Many states such as New Jersey require their medical Directors to be Certified in Addiction Medicine. ABAM Certification provides physicians with career opportunities, education, and access to experts in the field.
An ABAM-certified physician is one who has shown mastery of the knowledge expected of a physician practicing in the field of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Certification is an evolutionary process, and periodic demonstration of the mastery of current knowledge is a critical element.
Recognition by peers and CD staff as knowledgeable in addiction medicine.
State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on ABAM Certified Physicians for testimony and identifying legislation that affects substance abuse issues and treatment.
The widely recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 1999 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA to have policies and procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA recognition of addiction certified physicians gives added value to the ABAM certificate by making ABAM-certified physicians eligible to be credentialed by NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
Credibility with third party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Since its inception in 1986, ABAM has certified more than 3,300 physicians in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. ABAM also offers a subsection for those physicians interested in being certified as a Medical Review Officer.
The importance of ABAM Certification is in direct proportion to the credibility of the Certifying Organization, ABAM. How credible is ABAM? ABAM is represented in the AMA house of delegates, is recognized as a Specialty Code, and is a member of the Council of Medical Societies of American College of Physicians.
No physician can be interested in the field of addiction medicine without being involved in most if not all of the purposes toward which ABAM is working. Joining the significant others who are dedicated to these endeavors offers the individual physician a platform, a team, and a sounding board, all of which are needed before one can synthesize and fully develop scientific concepts. For a physician interested in addiction, there is no other professional option that offers the same opportunities for growth and development.
ABAM is constantly working to achieve specialty status for Addiction Medicine with the American Board of Medical Specialties.
For those physicians interested in faculty appointments (either voluntary or full time) at a medical school, the demonstration of certification by an outside recognized agency will serve to enhance their applications.

8. Exam Day Get to the Test Center 30 minutes early.
Do not 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
Treatment Centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations actively seek and recruit ABAM Certified Members to provide direction and leadership for their programs.
Many states such as New Jersey require their medical Directors to be Certified in Addiction Medicine. ABAM Certification provides physicians with career opportunities, education, and access to experts in the field.
An ABAM-certified physician is one who has shown mastery of the knowledge expected of a physician practicing in the field of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Certification is an evolutionary process, and periodic demonstration of the mastery of current knowledge is a critical element.
Recognition by peers and CD staff as knowledgeable in addiction medicine.
State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on ABAM Certified Physicians for testimony and identifying legislation that affects substance abuse issues and treatment.
The widely recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 1999 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA to have policies and procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA recognition of addiction certified physicians gives added value to the ABAM certificate by making ABAM-certified physicians eligible to be credentialed by NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
Credibility with third party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Since its inception in 1986, ABAM has certified more than 3,300 physicians in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. ABAM also offers a subsection for those physicians interested in being certified as a Medical Review Officer.
The importance of ABAM Certification is in direct proportion to the credibility of the Certifying Organization, ABAM. How credible is ABAM? ABAM is represented in the AMA house of delegates, is recognized as a Specialty Code, and is a member of the Council of Medical Societies of American College of Physicians.
No physician can be interested in the field of addiction medicine without being involved in most if not all of the purposes toward which ABAM is working. Joining the significant others who are dedicated to these endeavors offers the individual physician a platform, a team, and a sounding board, all of which are needed before one can synthesize and fully develop scientific concepts. For a physician interested in addiction, there is no other professional option that offers the same opportunities for growth and development.
ABAM is constantly working to achieve specialty status for Addiction Medicine with the American Board of Medical Specialties.
For those physicians interested in faculty appointments (either voluntary or full time) at a medical school, the demonstration of certification by an outside recognized agency will serve to enhance their applications.

9. 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 0 Minutes
Total: Hours
Possible Break Time Up to 30 minutes
Treatment Centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations actively seek and recruit ABAM Certified Members to provide direction and leadership for their programs.
Many states such as New Jersey require their medical Directors to be Certified in Addiction Medicine. ABAM Certification provides physicians with career opportunities, education, and access to experts in the field.
An ABAM-certified physician is one who has shown mastery of the knowledge expected of a physician practicing in the field of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Certification is an evolutionary process, and periodic demonstration of the mastery of current knowledge is a critical element.
Recognition by peers and CD staff as knowledgeable in addiction medicine.
State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on ABAM Certified Physicians for testimony and identifying legislation that affects substance abuse issues and treatment.
The widely recognized National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) 1999 Standards for Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by NCQA to have policies and procedures for credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA recognition of addiction certified physicians gives added value to the ABAM certificate by making ABAM-certified physicians eligible to be credentialed by NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
Credibility with third party payers when advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.
Since its inception in 1986, ABAM has certified more than 3,300 physicians in the specialty of Addiction Medicine. ABAM also offers a subsection for those physicians interested in being certified as a Medical Review Officer.
The importance of ABAM Certification is in direct proportion to the credibility of the Certifying Organization, ABAM. How credible is ABAM? ABAM is represented in the AMA house of delegates, is recognized as a Specialty Code, and is a member of the Council of Medical Societies of American College of Physicians.
No physician can be interested in the field of addiction medicine without being involved in most if not all of the purposes toward which ABAM is working. Joining the significant others who are dedicated to these endeavors offers the individual physician a platform, a team, and a sounding board, all of which are needed before one can synthesize and fully develop scientific concepts. For a physician interested in addiction, there is no other professional option that offers the same opportunities for growth and development.
ABAM is constantly working to achieve specialty status for Addiction Medicine with the American Board of Medical Specialties.
For those physicians interested in faculty appointments (either voluntary or full time) at a medical school, the demonstration of certification by an outside recognized agency will serve to enhance their applications.