| Forensic Psychiatry |
| Candidates in the subspecialty of forensic psychiatry are those in the field of psychiatry who are seeking ABPN Board Certification. Forensic psychiatry is a subspecialty that involves having psychiatric focus on interrelationships with civil, criminal and administrative law, evaluation and specialized treatment of individuals involved with the legal system, incarcerated in jails, prisons, and forensic psychiatry hospitals. All candidates will need to complete and submit an application in order to qualify and apply for an examination. Each application will be reviewed by the credentials department. Candidates become diplomates after passing their examination. Diplomates will then begin the process of maintenance of certification. Apply for an examination | ABPN Physician Folios site | Visit the Pearson VUE Website |
Initial Certification in Forensic Psychiatry
A. History and Statement of Principles
The ABPN, in concurrence with the ABMS, established a Committee on Certification of Added Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry in November 1992. This was done to officially establish the field of forensic psychiatry as a definite area of subspecialization in psychiatry and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced forensic psychiatrists.
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.
In February 1997, the Board, in agreement with the ABMS, discontinued using the term “Added Qualifications” for this certificate. The names of both the certificate and the Committee were changed at that time to “Certification in the Subspecialty of Forensic Psychiatry.” [more]
Maintenance of Certification in Forensic Psychiatry
The Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC) of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology reflects the Board's commitment to lifelong learning throughout one's profession. The mission of MOC is to ensure that diplomates adhere to the highest standards in medicine and pursue excellence in all areas of care and practice improvement. The MOC program requires diplomates to participate in sanctioned self-assessment performance measures, identify perceived weaknesses in their knowledge, pursue learning activities tailored to areas that need to be strengthened, and develop quality improvement programs based on their clinical practice. The goal is for diplomates to reflect on their personal knowledge and performance and commit to a process of improvement and reevaluation of performance measures over a specified time frame that will ultimately lead to improved care for their patients. [more]