Some boards require that the doctor has a period of experience in full-time practice in the specialty prior to examination for certification, usually two years following training. Finally, each candidate for certification must pass a written examination given by the specialty board. Fifteen of the 24 specialty boards also require an oral examination conducted by senior specialists in that field. Candidates who have passed the exams and other requirements are then given the status of Diplomate and are certified as specialists. A similar process is followed for specialists who want to become subspecialists.
Some boards issue certificates for a limited period of time, usually seven to ten years.
In order to retain certification, Diplomates of those boards must become recertified, and must periodically go through an additional process involving continuing education in the specialty, review of credentials and further examination. Some boards that may not require recertification have provided voluntary recertification with similar requirements. The intent of the certification process, as defined by the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, is to provide assurance to the public that a certified medical specialist has successfully completed an approved educational program and an evaluation, including an examination process designed to assess the knowledge, experience and skills requisite to the provision of high quality patient care in that specialty. Over the years more than 100 boards have requested certification from the ABMS, but only 24 have met their strict educational and examination criteria. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the evaluating body that is responsible for determining and evaluating the training and certification of plastic and reconstructive surgeons.