A record 1,889 physicians applied to take the 2023 American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam, which tests doctors for their competency in treating obesity. Physician candidates will take the test between October 2-14, 2023 at Pearson VUE computer-based testing centers throughout the United States and Canada.
The 1,889 exam candidates represent more than a dozen fields of medicine including internal medicine (38%), family medicine (30%), pediatrics (6%), endocrinology (5%), surgery (4%), gastroenterology (3%) and obstetrics/gynecology (3%). They come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and include 57 physicians from Canada.
The exam candidates will look to join the more than 6,700 physicians who are already certified ABOM Diplomates. Since 2020, ABOM has added more than 2,500 new Diplomates.
“We hear from our Diplomates that they seek certification to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in treating obesity—an area that many have learned little about during their prior medical training,” said ABOM Board Chair Judith Korner, MD, PhD. “With recognition of obesity as a complex chronic disease and continuing advancements in effective treatment options, we believe the desire to provide the best possible care for patients with obesity will continue to attract physicians to this rapidly growing field.”
2024 CERTIFICATION EXAM KEY DATES AND FEES
Exam window: October 14-26, 2024 (Pearson VUE computer test centers)
Early Application Deadline: July 10, 2024 ($1,500 fee)
Final Application Deadline: August 7, 2024 ($1,750 fee)