American Board of Medical Specialties Releases New Board Certification Data and Report for 2025-2026

ABMS Releases Latest Board Certification Report

On October 20, 2026, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) unveiled its 2025-2026 Board Certification Report, an essential resource for understanding the landscape of board certification in the medical field. This initiative is designed to assist various stakeholders, including physicians, medical specialists, researchers, and the general public, in grasping the intricacies of board certification.

The new report highlights that over one million physicians and medical specialists, known as diplomates, hold certifications from ABMS Member Boards. This credential serves as an independent validation of a physician's knowledge and expertise, providing patients with confidence as they select healthcare providers. Richard E. Hawkins, MD, the President and CEO of ABMS, emphasized the importance of this certification, stating that it assures patients their providers have met stringent standards.

This new report not only presents fascinating statistics about board certification but also outlines changes in demographic trends among diplomates. As of June 30, 2026, 1,020,705 diplomates were actively certified. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of specialty and subspecialty certificates awarded, with 36,206 new specialty certificates and 15,018 subspecialty certificates issued.

Highlighting the changing demographics, the report reveals that 35.3% of active diplomates are women, while 58.3% are men; 6.3% remain unidentified. Among younger professionals aged 35 to 44, there is a nearly equal split between genders, indicating a gradual shift towards a more diverse workforce in medical specialties.

The newly updated ABMS Data Viewer is another significant feature accompanying the report. This tool provides users with aggregated data about board certification, allowing for filtered views based on different demographics such as age, gender, specialty, and geographical location. The Data Viewer enables individuals to explore the distribution of certified physicians across the U.S. healthcare system.

The introduction of the Data Viewer in 2025 reflected a substantial enhancement in accessibility of certification information. Users can now select specific months for insights, with data currently available for June, July, and August 2026—a feature likely to grow throughout the year.

In addition to the certification report, ABMS has also released the 2027 ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties. This comprehensive guide provides detailed descriptions of various specialties and subspecialties, further illustrating the rigorous standards and educational pathways required for board certification.

Since its inception in 1933, ABMS has been dedicated to setting and maintaining high standards for physician certification in the United States. The organization works alongside its 24 Member Boards to improve the quality of care provided to patients, families, and communities through stringent educational and professional standards. Currently, over a million physicians are certified in one or more of 38 specialties and 90 subspecialties.

For those seeking further information regarding board certification or the new resources available, ABMS offers valuable insights on its official website at abms.org. Patients and healthcare providers alike can benefit tremendously from the updated certification data as they navigate the complex landscape of medical specialties in today's healthcare system.