Certification Requirements

Obesity Medicine Physician An obesity medicine physician is a physician with expertise in the sub-specialty of obesity medicine. This sub-specialty requires competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the genetic, biologic, environmental, social, and behavioral factors that contribute to obesity. The obesity medicine physician employs therapeutic interventions including diet, physical activity, behavioral change, and pharmacotherapy. The obesity medicine physician utilizes a comprehensive approach, and may include additional resources such as nutritionists, exercise physiologists, psychologists and bariatric surgeons as indicated to achieve optimal results. Additionally, the obesity medicine physician maintains competency in providing pre- peri- and post-surgical care of bariatric surgery patients, promotes the prevention of obesity, and advocates for those who suffer from obesity.

Certification Requirements Number of Physician CandidatesAverage Distribution of Medical Specialties

Certification Requirements Qualifications for Certification CME Pathway and Fellowship Pathway Proof of an active medical license in the U.S. or Canada. Proof of completion of U.S. or Canadian medical residency. Active board certification in an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board or osteopathic medicine equivalent.

Certification Requirements Qualifications for Certification CME Pathway A minimum of sixty (60) credit hours of continuing medical education (CME) recognized by the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 Credits on the topic of obesity are required for certification. At least thirty (30) credit hours must be obtained by participation and attendance at a conference. The other thirty (30) credit hours may be obtained by at-home CME activity. The sixty (60) credit hours can be completed within the thirty-six (36) months preceding the final application deadline. A copy of the applicant’s CME certificates should accompany the application.

Certification Requirements Qualifications for Certification Fellowship Pathway Have successfully completed an on-site clinical fellowship with an obesity component where the fellowship director attests to at least 500 hours on the topic of obesity or obesity-related conditions.

Certification Requirements Primary Obesity CME Partners American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) Harvard Medical School Blackburn Course in Obesity Medicine Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition The Obesity Society (TOS) Obesity-Related CME Partners Canadian Obesity Network (CON) Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) Cardiometabolic Risk Summit (CRS) Cleveland Clinic Obesity Summit Let’s Go Mayo Clinic: Nutrition & Wellness in Health & Disease USF: Treatment Guidelines for obesity World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease (WCIRDC) Mass. General Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition Institute (OMNI) American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Fields of Medicine Partners American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) American College of Physicians (ACP) American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) The Endocrine Society (ENDO) Public Health Partners American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC) at Johns Hopkins STOP Obesity Alliance The Obesity Treatment Foundation ABOM Partner Organizations

Certification Requirements American Society of Bariatric Physicians ( The Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education ( Institute of Human Nutrition Columbia University ( The Obesity Society ( Attend a Review Course

Certification Requirements Exam Resources Become Familiar with the Test Content Outline. Review the ABOM Sample Test Questions. Additional Resources and Study Guides.

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Certification Requirements Important Dates Early Application Deadline July 13, 2015 Application Deadline August 24, 2015 ABOM Certification Examination December 5 – 12, 2015