Sleep Medicine

Deadlines, Fees and Content for Initial Certification in Sleep Medicine

** 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. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Sleep Medicine.

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 “grandfathering period” are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship training.

For information about the new ABPN MOC Part III Pilot Project and how to enroll, see our webpage

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.

7 Parkway North, Deerfield, IL 60015

Phone 847.229.6500 | Fax 847.229.6600