Hospitalists

Certification and Licensing

All states require physicians and therefore hospitalists to be licensed. Requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty. To find out more about specific state licensing requirements, individuals can contact their state’s medical board.

While board certification is voluntary and not always required for physicians, most hospitals require it for hospitalists. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to seven years in residency training. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty hospitalist-related certification exam from the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association or the American Board of Physician Specialties. The American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, and American Board of Pediatrics offer certification paths in hospital medicine. Board certified physicians must renew their credentials every 10 years. In order to maintain their certification, some hospitalists participate in a fellowship or focused practice in hospital medicine.

Other Requirements

Some employers may require hospitalists to pass a background check.