Saturday, December 15, 2012
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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. This certification
closely parallels standards set by the ABMS.
Select criteria are met to sit for the examination.
To date, over 2,500 Physicians have been certified in
Addiction Medicine by ABAM.
Pediatrics
1%
Preventive Med
1%
Emergency Med
2%
OBGyn
Addiction Psych 1%
2%
Misc
8%
Psych
Anesthesiology
2%
Psych
37%
Addiction Med
15%
Family Practice
Internal Med
Addiction Med
Anesthesiology
Addiction Psych
Internal Med
15%
Emergency Med
Family Practice
16%
OBGyn
Pediatrics
Preventive Med
Misc
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Treatment Centers, hospitals, & managed care organizations actively seek & recruit
ABAM-Certified members to provide direction & leadership for their programs.
Several states (such as NJ) require their Medical Directors be certified in ADM.
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.
Board Certification enhances applications for those interested in medical school
faculty appointments.
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 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.
Board Certification provides Credibility with third-party payers when advocating for
patient treatment/length of stay.
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 (82%)
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Computer examination is on Saturday, December 15th at
Prometric Test Centers
(over 400 test centers to choose from)
Prior to the Exam
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Use your electronic permit
(to be sent mid-September by email)
to schedule a Prometric test center
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Take the Tutorial on the ABAM Web Site
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Confirm your testing appointment & verify your
test time
(in the late fall)
(7 days prior to the exam as test times vary)
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Get to the Test Center 30 mins. early.
No late entry is available for the exam.
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Bring to the test center:
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A copy of your electronic permit
Government-Issued Identification
Test Center Confirmation, Address & Phone #
Snacks
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Stay current with general medical & psychiatric
journals and guidelines
Read ASAM’s Principles of Addiction Medicine
Read ASAM’s Journal of Addiction Medicine
Subscription included with ASAM membership
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Attend either Review Course
Held in Nashville, TN
or in San Francisco, CA
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(given by ASAM, 9/20-22/12)
(given by CSAM, 9/5-8/12)
Do online exam tutorial just prior to exam
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Focus on information from clinical setting and
on common and important patient problems
Emphasis on assessing application of knowledge
(vs. recalling isolated facts)
The Exam Includes: Multiple choice questions
(single best answer, some matching, some multi-part items)
Clinical vignettes
Calculator & provides normal range values
 The Exam does not include:
trick questions, k-type questions,
true/false items, and un-scored items
Optional Tutorial*
Block 1: 50 Items
Block 2: 50 Items
Block 3: 50 Items
Block 4: 50 Items
Block 5: 50 Items
Optional Break Time
Optional Survey
15 mins.
60 mins.
60 mins.
60 mins.
60 mins.
60 mins.
15 mins.
5mins.
Total:
5.5 Hours
*can be taken as break time