Anesthesiologists

Certification or Licensing

All physicians in the United States must be licensed to practice. Some states have reciprocity agreements with other states so that a physician licensed in one state may be automatically licensed in another without being required to pass another examination.

Anesthesiologists receive certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). Nearly 90 percent of anesthesiologists are board certified, according to the ABA. In addition to being licensed, the board requires applicants to have completed training in an accredited program and to pass an exam. Applicants must also have a certificate of clinical competence. This certificate, filed by the residency training program, attests to the applicant's clinical competence.