American Board of Pediatrics

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is a non-profit organization that certifies pediatricians in the United States. The ABP was founded in 1933 and is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Pronunciation

American Board of Pediatrics: /əˈmɛrɪkən bɔːrd ɒv ˌpiːdiːəˈtrɪks/

Etymology

The term "American Board of Pediatrics" is derived from the organization's location and purpose. "American" refers to the organization's base in the United States. "Board" is used in the sense of a group of people who manage the affairs of an organization. "Pediatrics" is a branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18.

Related Terms

Pediatrician: A medical practitioner specializing in children and their diseases.
American Board of Medical Specialties: The largest physician-led specialty certification organization in the United States.
Non-profit organization: An organization that uses its surplus revenues to further achieve its purpose or mission, rather than distributing its surplus income to the organization's directors as profit or dividends.

Certification Process

The ABP offers certification in general pediatrics and several pediatric subspecialties. To become certified, a physician must complete a residency in pediatrics, pass a written examination, and meet other requirements set by the ABP.