ABIM for a canadian doctor

[canadianpulmdoc]

So I'm a Canadian pulmonologist looking to move to the US one day and getting quite confused with all the board certifications requirements. I did all my training in Canada including my internal medicine and pulmonary royal college exams.

From what I understand, to be board certified in pulmonary medicine in the US I need to first be board certified in internal medicine by the ABIM. The problem that I am seeing is that there is a 7 year eligibility rule for take ABIM exams. I finished my 3 years of internal medicine residency on June 30th, 2016. I never considered taking the ABIM exams before because I was not planning on working in the states.

Am I screwed? I have no desire to redo a year on internal medicine residency as pulmonary attending, especially just to take an exam in a field I will not be working in.

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[chessknt]

Oh I think it is worse than that--I dont think any of it counted. You'll have to do the whole thing (3+2 years) to become a pulmonologist here. You can't just take the ABIM exam, you have to qualify for it which means you need a US training pathway endorsement. Since your training happened outside of the USA it doesnt count unless you fall in to one of the special consideration pathways.

 

[CCM-MD]

Oh I think it is worse than that--I dont think any of it counted. You'll have to do the whole thing (3+2 years) to become a pulmonologist here. You can't just take the ABIM exam, you have to qualify for it which means you need a US training pathway endorsement. Since your training happened outside of the USA it doesnt count unless you fall in to one of the special consideration pathways.

That’s not true.

ABIM recognizes training Royal College accredited training in Canada as equivalent to ACGME training. Personal example: my wife did IM and endocrine in Canada, took both ABIM exams without repeating any training in the US. She is now practicing in the US, has 3 state licenses and never took the USMLEs.

To OP, I would reach out directly to ABIM and see what they have to say about your specific situation. In addition, depending on where you want to work, you may be able to get a license and a job without ABIM certification. I know of 2 academic neurosurgeons that did their training in Canada and work in the US without American boards.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

That’s not true.

ABIM recognizes training Royal College accredited training in Canada as equivalent to ACGME training. Personal example: my wife did IM and endocrine in Canada, took both ABIM exams without repeating any training in the US. She is now practicing in the US, has 3 state licenses and never took the USMLEs.

To OP, I would reach out directly to ABIM and see what they have to say about your specific situation. In addition, depending on where you want to work, you may be able to get a license and a job without ABIM certification. I know of 2 academic neurosurgeons that did their training in Canada and work in the US without American boards.

Yeah.

Agree with the Canadian training aspect of the ABIM.

OP, the ABIM has occasionally been known to grant waivers in these types of situations. So I would contact them.

 

[chessknt]

That’s not true.

ABIM recognizes training Royal College accredited training in Canada as equivalent to ACGME training. Personal example: my wife did IM and endocrine in Canada, took both ABIM exams without repeating any training in the US. She is now practicing in the US, has 3 state licenses and never took the USMLEs.

To OP, I would reach out directly to ABIM and see what they have to say about your specific situation. In addition, depending on where you want to work, you may be able to get a license and a job without ABIM certification. I know of 2 academic neurosurgeons that did their training in Canada and work in the US without American boards.

Oh nice I have never encountered someone like that and I thought they were treated the same as the other FMGs who had to re do residency here.

 

[PerpetualTrainee]

I wonder if this might change, given the change in LCME status for Canadian med schools coming in 2025 (Canadian medical graduates will be considered IMGs after June 30, 2025). I know the ABIM and LCME are not the same organization, obviously.

Accredited Canadian Programs | LCME

lcme.org

 

[DrMetal]

So I'm a Canadian pulmonologist looking to move to the US one day and getting quite confused with all the board certifications requirements.

You're confused!? We're all confused. Us stupid Americans have placed so much weight on this silly, contrived, 'Board Certification' requirement, that we've boxed ourselves (and our Canadian allies) out of our own profession. Meanwhile, some NP is vying for my job. Wait till you hear about MOC, that's a real hoot too!

On the brighter side, I hope you're a hockey fan. Canucks or the Oilers seem poised to make a run for Canada's first Stanley Cup in > 30 years.

 

[timpview]

And even if you get “certified” they can take that back whenever they want haha

 

[EMhawkeye]

If you did your residency training and are board certified in Canada, you don't nee to take any additional exams. Hospitals in the US will recognize them as equivalent just as they recognize Canadian residency training as equivalent. Save your time and money.

 

[EMhawkeye]

I wonder if this might change, given the change in LCME status for Canadian med schools coming in 2025 (Canadian medical graduates will be considered IMGs after June 30, 2025). I know the ABIM and LCME are not the same organization, obviously.

Accredited Canadian Programs | LCME

lcme.org

Previous grads will be considered AMG's just as before.

 

[PerpetualTrainee]

Oh, really? Excellent.

 

[canadianpulmdoc]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'll reach out to ABIM and see what they have to say.

You're confused!? We're all confused. Us stupid Americans have placed so much weight on this silly, contrived, 'Board Certification' requirement, that we've boxed ourselves (and our Canadian allies) out of our own profession. Meanwhile, some NP is vying for my job. Wait till you hear about MOC, that's a real hoot too!

On the brighter side, I hope you're a hockey fan. Canucks or the Oilers seem poised to make a run for Canada's first Stanley Cup in > 30 years.

At least in Canada once we're done our boards we're done forever, just need to submit our CME credits.

I am a Habs fan and uh... maybe in a few years. Would enjoy if a Canadian team won it though, as long as it's not Toronto.

If you did your residency training and are board certified in Canada, you don't nee to take any additional exams. Hospitals in the US will recognize them as equivalent just as they recognize Canadian residency training as equivalent. Save your time and money.

I had heard that it might be easier if I was board certified in the states or maybe something for insurance? I don't mind taking an exam or two. Most job postings that I saw seemed to ask for board eligible or board certified. I guess I could just apply and tell them that I'm certified in Canada already and see what they say.

 

[EMhawkeye]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'll reach out to ABIM and see what they have to say.


At least in Canada once we're done our boards we're done forever, just need to submit our CME credits.

I am a Habs fan and uh... maybe in a few years. Would enjoy if a Canadian team won it though, as long as it's not Toronto.



I had heard that it might be easier if I was board certified in the states or maybe something for insurance? I don't mind taking an exam or two. Most job postings that I saw seemed to ask for board eligible or board certified. I guess I could just apply and tell them that I'm certified in Canada already and see what they say.

Most hospitals that I credentialed at say in their paperwork “board certified by the American board of medical specialists or the royal college of physicians/ surgeons of canada”

 

[DrMetal]

At least in Canada once we're done our boards we're done forever, just need to submit our CME credits.

It's a crazy concept, we're working on it here in the States. We've create a new board certifying body that only requires initial BC then good CME. It's slowly gaining some ground:

NBPAS - Providing a Pathway for Continuous Certification

NBPAS is a physician-led organization providing another pathway for continuous board certification that is clinically relevant, specialty-specific, and reducing burdens.

nbpas.org