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Preventive Medicine Physicians

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

New physicians who have received the M.D. or O.D. degree are required to take an examination to be licensed to practice. All states mandate that physicians be licensed in the state in which they practice. The licensing exam is conducted through the board of medical examiners in each state. 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. Find out about licensing procedures before planning to move.

Preventive medicine physicians may receive voluntary board certification, to demonstrate their expertise in a specialty or subspecialty of medical practice. The American Board of Preventive Medicine offers board certification to preventive medicine physicians who have a current, valid license to practice in the United States or a province of Canada; who have completed an approved training program, have required practice experience, and who pass a certification exam. Find more information at https://www.theabpm.org/become-certified. 

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