** Diplomates from ABA, ABFM, ABIM, ABOto and ABP are required to apply for certification through their respective boards.
History and Statement of Principles
The Sleep Medicine Certification Program, developed by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), and the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) for diplomates in internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurology, and otolaryngology is designed to recognize excellence among physicians who are specialists in the care of patients with sleep problems and specific sleep disorders. Sleep medicine encompasses a multidisciplinary body of knowledge regarding the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, and their disorders.
The examination will be administered to candidates from the ABIM, ABP, ABPN, and ABOto at the same time in the same testing centers. Participation in the certification program is voluntary. Certification is not required of practitioners in this field, and the certificate does not confer privilege to practice.
Specific Training Requirements
This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. To achieve certification in sleep medicine, candidates from the ABPN must hold a valid certificate in psychiatry, neurology, or neurology with special qualification in child neurology and fulfill all of the following requirements:
Satisfactory documentation of requisite practice experience or completion of formal training requirements, as specified in descriptions of the practice or training pathways
Have met all training requirements by July 31 of the year of the examination
Must meet the ABPN’s licensure requirements
Be certified by the Board in neurology, in neurology with special qualification in child neurology, or in psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration
Training Pathway (Specific training requirements after 2011)
After the 2011 examination, all applicants other than those initially approved during the practice pathway period are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship training.
Currently, ABPN does not accept training from international programs.
ABPN
