NUMBER OF ABOM DIPLOMATES

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) this week announced that more than 1,100 physicians passed its board certification test administered in February/March 2021. The number of physicians who are board certified in obesity medicine now exceeds 5,200 in the United States and Canada. A record 1,140 examinees passed the ABOM exam, establishing obesity medicine as one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. This represents a 27 percent increase in the total number of ABOM diplomates compared to the previous year. Since 2017, the number of obesity medicine physicians has more than doubled.

YEAR          NUMBER OF ABOM DIPLOMATES

2021            5,242

2020            4,102

2019            3,377

2018            2,656

2017            2,073

The 1,140 physicians who passed the most recent ABOM certification exam include internists (446), family physicians (313), endocrinologists (66), pediatricians (61), surgeons (54), gastroenterologists (35), and obstetricians/gynecologists (28), along with numerous other specialists. Sixty-five new diplomates are from Canada.

“Even with all of the challenges facing physicians over the last year, it is heartening to see that so many continued to place a priority on getting the education and training needed to treat their patients with obesity,” said ABOM Board Chairman John Cleek, MD. “With ABOM’s growing numbers, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring people in every community have access to care from a physician who has the skills and knowledge to combat this disease.”

Next Exam Window: November 9-16, 2021

The American Board of Obesity Medicine also announced this week that the next certification exam in obesity medicine will be administered November 9-16, 2021 at computer-based testing centers. This addition of a one-time only second yearly exam in 2021 is being offered as ABOM transitions to an annual test that will be administered during the fall time period each year going forward.

CERTIFICATION EXAM KEY DATES AND FEES

Exam window: November 9-16, 2021

Application deadline: September 1, 2021

Application fee: $1,500