The American Board of Anesthesiology
Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties
Important Notices
Information Regarding Status Designations
The ABA has expanded its diplomate status designations to include three new designations:
- "Certified-Not Clinically Active"
- "Retired-Certified"
- "Retired"
The ABA defines new diplomate designations, as follows:
- A Certified - Not Clinically Active Diplomate holds a valid ABA certificate and does not plan to perform, teach or supervise anesthesia in the operating room or other anesthetizing areas an average of one day per week during 12 consecutive months.
- A Retired - Certified Diplomate holds a valid ABA certificate, no longer is actively performing, teaching or supervising the practice of anesthesiology, and no longer has a professional responsibility to the specialty of anesthesiology.
- A Retired Diplomate no longer holds a valid ABA certificate, no longer is actively performing, teaching or supervising the practice of anesthesiology, and no longer has a professional responsibility to the specialty of anesthesiology.
Certified Diplomates must submit an attestation form with a request to change their certification designation. To be designated as Not Clinically Active, they must 
attest that they do not meet the ABA definition of clinical activity.To be designated as "Retired-Certified" or "Retired," they must attest that they do not meet the ABA definition of clinical activity and do not plan to return to the practice of anesthesiology at any time in the future.
The Certified - Not Clinically Active Diplomate must submit to the ABA a request to remove the Not Clinically Active status designation when he/she has resumed clinical practice.
Click this link to download a Request form to Remove Not Clinically Active Status designation. The ABA Credentials Committee will be asked to review the request and make a determination about whether it will reinstate the Diplomate's status as CLINICALLY ACTIVE. The Committee will also determine the effective date of the Diplomate's status change and the Part IV requirements that must be fulfilled in order to maintain his/her certification.
Retired-Certified and Retired Diplomates must apply to the ABA to re-attain the designation Certified. Click this link to download the application form for re-attaining ABA certification post retirement. The ABA considers applications for re-attaining ABA certification on an individualized, case-by-case basis (see Section 5.07 of the ABA Booklet of Information)
The ABA routinely reports through its web site or by mail, whether a physician is a Candidate in the ABA examination system or an ABA Diplomate. The ABA Diplomate and Candidate Directory will display these new status designations to the public and others interested in obtaining information about Board Certified anesthesiologists.
Diplomate status is limited to the period of time the physician's certification or application for certification is valid.
Alternate Path for Entry into ABA Examinations for Primary Certification
The ABA has approved a 7-year pilot program that would allow international medical graduates, certified by the national anesthesiology organization in the country where they trained in the specialty and practicing anesthesiology in the United States, to qualify for entrance into the ABA examination system for initial certification in the specialty at most once via an alternate entry path. The objective of the pilot program is to encourage outstanding foreign trained and certified anesthesiologists, who come to the United States, to become productive members of U.S. academic anesthesiology programs.
Anesthesiology Recertification
The online application process for Anesthesiology Recertification examination is continuous and will remain open until December 31, 2008. Applications must be submitted using the ABA Electronic Application System, via the ABA Web site at www.theABA.org. Exceptions to this requirement will be considered upon written request. The ABA voluntary recertification program ends in 2009, and December 31, 2008 is the final date that a diplomate may apply for an Anesthesiology Recertification examination in 2009. The Anesthesiology Recertification examination is administered two times per year in January and August.
ABA Information Sessions 2008
On March 30, 2008, in conjunction with the 82nd Clinical and Scientific Congress of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), on October 18, 2008, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and on December 13, 2008, in conjunction with the 62nd Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA), ABA Directors will conduct a special information program on Board Certification and Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA). There will be brief presentations followed by discussion and questions about both ABA processes.
2008 Spring Part 2 (Oral) Examination - Appointment Notices
2008 Spring Part 2 (Oral) Examination candidates were sent notice of their examination appointment on Friday, February 1, 2008. Candidates who do not receive their information may call the Board office on or after Monday, February 11, 2008.
2008 Spring Part 2 (Oral) Examination - Hotel Reservations
Click here to make a hotel reservation for the 2008 Spring Part 2 (Oral) Examination.
Revised MOCA Part IV: Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement (PPAI) Program
Click here view the Revised MOCA Part IV: Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement (PPAI) Program.