Psychosomatic Medicine

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Initial Certification in the
Subspecialty of Psychosomatic Medicine

When available, the Information for Applicants publication is located on the Information for Applicants page.

When available, the application for examination is located on the Applications page.

A. History and Statement of Principles
The ABPN, in concurrence with the ABMS, established a Committee on Certification in the Subspecialty of Psychosomatic Medicine in 2003. This was done to officially establish the field of psychosomatic medicine as a definite area of subspecialization in psychiatry and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced psychosomatic medicine subspecialists.

The actual mechanics of certification of qualified candidates have been delegated by the Board to the Committee, which operates under the supervision of and in accordance with the policies of the Board.

B. Specific Requirements During the “Grandfathering Period” (Through 2009)
Please Note: This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Psychosomatic Medicine.

Applicants for certification in psychosomatic medicine must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by February 1 prior to the examination administration.

Applicants may qualify for examination by submitting documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training.

During the “grandfathering period,” as an alternative to one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine, applicants may qualify by submitting documentation of one of the following two sets of temporary criteria:

•1. Satisfactory completion of 12 months of fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine (consultation/liaison psychiatry) that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychia- try residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training.

OR

•2. A minimum of 25% of practice time devoted to psychosomatic medicine (consultation/liaison psychiatry) for a minimum of two years.

The specialized training in psychosomatic medicine may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

C. Specific Training Requirements After 2009
Please Note: This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Psychosomatic Medicine.

Applicants for certification in psychosomatic medicine must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by February 1 prior to the examination administration. After the 2009 examination, all applicants other than those initially approved during the “grandfathering period” are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training.

The required one year of specialized training in psychosomatic medicine may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

D. Examination Content
This 200-item, multiple-choice examination is administered by computer for four hours. Candidates are assessed in evaluation and management, symptoms and behaviors, and treatment.

Click here to read about Computer Administered Examinations at Pearson VUE testing Centers.

Click here to obtain an Application for Disability Accommodation.

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
2150 E. Lake Cook Road, Suite 900, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: 847.229.6500 Fax: 847.229.6600