How to check
How do you spot a fake board certification?
A real US physician specialty certification should come from a recognized member board and be publicly verifiable for free through ABMS Certification Matters. A certificate is not a license, and it does not expand what a medical license allows someone to do.[2][12]
What to check first
Start with who issued the credential, what training or exam it required, and whether the issuer lets the public verify it online. ABMS says its physician certification lookup is available through Certification Matters, which patients can use to check board certification status.[2][12]
Common warning signs
Be cautious if the “board” sounds impressive but is a private membership organization that appears to certify anyone who pays and completes a short course. Those credentials may look official, but they are not the same as certification from recognized member boards that publish free verification.[12][2]
License versus certificate
A medical license is the legal permission to practice, while board certification is an added credential. A certificate does not widen the scope of a license, so it should never be treated as proof of extra legal authority to practice beyond the license.[12]
Best verification check
Confirm that the issuer publicly verifies the credential, and compare the doctor’s name against the issuer’s official lookup tool. For ABMS-related physician specialty certification, free public verification is available through Certification Matters.[2][12]
Related
FAQ
Is board certification the same as a medical license?+
No.
Read the full answerHide the full answer
No. A license authorizes practice, while board certification is an additional credential. A certificate does not expand what the license allows.
How can I verify a physician’s board certification?+
Use the free public lookup on Certification Matters, which ABMS directs patients to for board certification verification.
What makes a certification suspicious?+
If the issuer is a private membership group, charges for easy certification, or does not offer public verification, treat the credential with caution and check the issuer carefully.