American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

What American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation does

The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), founded in 1947 and headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves as the recognized certifying board for the PM&R specialty under the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It administers a two-part primary certification pathway consisting of a written Part I Examination and an oral Part II Examination (delivered via Zoom or in person), plus seven subspecialty certifications: Brain Injury Medicine, Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and Sports Medicine. The organization supports approximately 11,948 active diplomates and roughly 11-50 staff, serving individual physicians, residency training programs, healthcare employers, and the public through its verification tool.

ABPMR's core technology platform is the Continuing Certification (CC) Program, introduced in 2021 to replace the prior Maintenance of Certification framework. The CC Program comprises four components: Professionalism, Lifelong Learning (CME/SA-CME with automatic ACCME reporting launched November 2025), Longitudinal Assessment (LA-PM&R plus subspecialty variants LA-BIM, LA-SCIM, LA-PRM, and LA-Pain, with annual LA-PM&R enrollment mandatory from January 2, 2026), and Improving Health and Health Care (IHHC) quality-improvement projects submitted via Submittable. Supporting technology includes a public Physician Search verification tool, a diplomate Certification Dashboard, Vimeo-hosted video tutorials, and Olark-powered live chat. Strategic partnerships span ACCME (data exchange), AAP, AAPM&R, AANEM, DNV Healthcare, Joint Commission, and CARF for credentialing alignment and credit recognition.

ABPMR generates revenue primarily through a $360 annual CC Program fee per diplomate (recurring), one-time examination fees for Part I, Part II, and each subspecialty certification, and annual late-enrollment fees for LA subspecialties. The organization is self-governed by a physician-elected Board of Directors, with no parent company, external ownership, or private-equity backing. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-physician through the online diplomate portal and public-facing website (abpmr.org), supported by email newsletters, Grand Rounds presentations, and content marketing via the News Center. Geographic operations span the United States and Canada.

Name

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Legal name

American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Website

https://abpmr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is an independent nonprofit founded in 1947 that certifies physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation through a two-part primary examination, seven subspecialty certifications, and a longitudinal Continuing Certification Program serving approximately 11,948 diplomates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Board Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• Physician board certification
• Continuing medical certification
• Physiatry subspecialty certification
• Longitudinal physician assessment
• Medical specialty certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual CC Program Fee: Annual fee charged to all diplomates participating in the Continuing Certification Program to cover administration, innovation, and customer service.
2. Examination Fees: Fees for Part I and Part II primary certification examinations, as well as subspecialty certification exams (BIM, SCIM, Pain Medicine, PRM, Sports Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine).
3. Late Enrollment Fees: Fees for late registration in Longitudinal Assessment programs for subspecialties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABPMR certifies physicians in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) through a two-part primary examination (Part I written, Part II oral) and administers seven subspecialty certifications (Brain Injury Medicine, Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and Sports Medicine). The organization operates the Continuing Certification (CC) Program, which uses Longitudinal Assessment (LA) digital platforms, lifelong learning (CME) tracking, professionalism requirements, and quality improvement (IHHC) projects to maintain diplomate certification throughout their careers.

Product overview

The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) offers a comprehensive certification ecosystem for physiatrists. The primary certification pathway consists of Part I (written examination) and Part II (oral examination). ABPMR also administers seven subspecialty certifications: Brain Injury Medicine, Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and Sports Medicine. The Continuing Certification (CC) Program, implemented in 2021, replaces the previous MOC program and includes four integrated components: Professionalism (licensure and ethical standards), Lifelong Learning (30 CME credits/year including 10 SA-CME), Longitudinal Assessment (LA-PM&R, LA-BIM, LA-Pain, LA-PRM, LA-SCIM - self-paced digital assessments), and IHHC (Improving Health and Health Care - quality improvement projects). The LA-PM&R platform and its subspecialty variants (LA-BIM, LA-SCIM, LA-PRM) are the core technology products enabling continuous assessment. Supporting services include a Physician Search verification tool, Certification Dashboard for diplomates, and the ABMS Scholars research program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Part I Examination Written examination assessing foundational knowledge in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Part I is the first of a two-part certification process for PM&R physicians seeking initial board certification.
• Part II Examination (Oral Exam) Oral examination assessing clinical competency in patient management, communication, and professionalism. The second part of the two-part primary certification process, administered virtually via Zoom or in-person. In 2026, 563 newly board certified physicians passed this exam.
• Brain Injury Medicine (BIM) Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in brain injury medicine, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurological rehabilitation. In 2024, 42 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• Hospice & Palliative Medicine (HPM) Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in hospice and palliative medicine within physical medicine and rehabilitation.
• Neuromuscular Medicine Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in neuromuscular medicine, including electrodiagnostic medicine and neuromuscular disorders. In 2024, 7 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• Pain Medicine Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in pain medicine, including interventional pain management and multidisciplinary pain care. In 2025, 126 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in pediatric rehabilitation medicine, including developmental disorders and childhood rehabilitation. In 2025, 17 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (SCIM) Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in spinal cord injury medicine, including acute and long-term management of spinal cord injury patients. In 2025, 17 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• Sports Medicine Certification Subspecialty certification for physicians specializing in sports medicine within physical medicine and rehabilitation, including sports injury management and athletic performance. In 2025, 42 newly certified physicians earned this certification.
• LA-PM&R (Longitudinal Assessment for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) Digital assessment platform enabling physicians to answer questions at their own pace, customizable across five domains. Designed to assess knowledge while helping physicians learn and improve over time, replacing traditional high-stakes examinations. Required for all active ABPMR diplomates annually beginning January 2, 2026.
• LA-BIM (Longitudinal Assessment for Brain Injury Medicine) Longitudinal assessment platform for Brain Injury Medicine subspecialty certification, launched in 2024, replacing traditional examination format.
• LA-PRM (Longitudinal Assessment for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine) Longitudinal assessment platform for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine subspecialty, transitioned to LA format in 2025.
• LA-SCIM (Longitudinal Assessment for Spinal Cord Injury Medicine) Longitudinal assessment platform for Spinal Cord Injury Medicine subspecialty, transitioned to LA format in 2025.
• LA-Pain (Longitudinal Assessment for Pain Medicine) Longitudinal assessment platform for Pain Medicine subspecialty certification, part of the continuing certification program.
• Lifelong Learning / CME Program Continuing Medical Education program requiring diplomates to complete an average of 30 Category 1 CME Credits per year, with at least 10 SA-CME credits per year. Includes collaboration with ACCME for automatic credit reporting, eliminating manual upload requirements.
• IHHC (Improving Health and Health Care) Program Quality improvement requirement component of continuing certification. Diplomates must complete IHHC projects demonstrating incremental improvements in practice or processes, following PDSA methodology. Submissions managed through the Submittable platform.
• Physician Search Tool Public verification tool allowing patients, employers, and other stakeholders to verify physician board certification status, including specialty and subspecialty certifications, across all US states and territories.
• Certification Dashboard Online portal for diplomates to track certification requirements, view CC cycle progress, enter CME credits, and manage certification status.
• Retired Status Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of diplomates say that the changes made to the CC program in the last several years are overwhelmingly positive
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025New collaboration announced in November 2025 that enables accredited CME providers to report diplomate participation directly to ACCME, which securely transmits the information to ABPMR. This eliminates the need for manual uploads and self-reporting of CME certificates. Within about 30 days of completing an eligible activity, CC credit will be automatically recorded in diplomate ABPMR profiles.
• AAP (Association of Academic Physiatrists)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerABPMR maintains established data exchange with AAP for CME reporting. AAP collaborates on IHHC credit opportunities, including allowing original research abstracts selected for poster presentations at AAP Annual Meeting within the quality improvement category to be eligible for IHHC credit.
• AAPM&R (American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerABPMR maintains established data exchange with AAPM&R for CME reporting. AAPM&R collaborates on IHHC credit opportunities, including allowing original research abstracts selected for poster presentations at the AAPM&R Annual Assembly within the quality improvement category to be eligible for IHHC credit.
• AANEM (American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerABPMR maintains established data exchange with AANEM for CME reporting. AANEM EDX Laboratory Accreditation Program qualifies physicians for IHHC credit upon achieving accreditation.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas) HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew IHHC credit opportunity announced in October 2025 for diplomates involved in DNV accreditation efforts. Diplomates who held hospital leadership roles during DNV accreditation or reaccreditation activities may qualify for IHHC credit applied to their CC cycle.
• Joint CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission certification of rehabilitation hospitals qualifies physicians for IHHC credit. Physicians in hospital leadership roles during certification or recertification periods can receive credit toward CC requirements.
• CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARF accreditation qualifies physicians for IHHC credit. Hospital or program leadership roles during quality improvement work for CARF accreditation or reaccreditation activities earn credit toward CC cycle.
• ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABPMR is a member board of ABMS. The organization participates in ABMS programs including the Visiting Scholars Program and Implementation Plans related to the Vision Commission recommendations for continuous certification.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Board of Pediatrics (ABP): ABP certifies general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialties under the ABMS umbrella, with MOC/CC requirements, online longitudinal assessment, and diplomate self-service portals. The certification lifecycle, technology platform approach, and ABMS member-board governance mirror ABPMR's operations closely.
• American Board of Surgery (ABS): ABS is an ABMS member board that certifies general surgeons and surgical subspecialties through written/oral exams and a continuous certification program. Its two-part examination structure, recertification framework, and member-board status make it a direct functional and governance peer to ABPMR.
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN): ABPN certifies psychiatrists and neurologists plus numerous subspecialties (including Pain Medicine, co-administered with ABPMR) through ABMS-recognized examinations and CC/MOC programs. Direct overlap on the Pain Medicine subspecialty and shared subspecialty exam administration make it one of ABPMR's closest functional peers.
• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM): ABIM is the largest ABMS member board, certifying internists and numerous internal medicine subspecialties under an analogous MOC/CC-style model. Like ABPMR, it administers longitudinal assessment (Knowledge Check-In, Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment), operates a continuing certification program, and serves a diplomate base measured in tens of thousands, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS): ABOS certifies orthopaedic surgeons and several subspecialties within an ABMS-aligned framework that includes secure written/oral exams and a recurring continuous certification cycle. Its procedural-medical specialty focus, residency pathway integration, and ABMS member-board structure are highly comparable to ABPMR.

Emerging players

• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS): ABPTS certifies clinical specialists within physical therapy across multiple specialty areas using a similar exam-and-recertification model. While ABPTS operates within the physical therapy profession rather than medicine, it addresses a closely adjacent rehabilitation workforce with parallel board-certification mechanics.

Broad incumbents

• American Osteopathic Association (AOA): AOA provides specialty certification for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine across a wide range of specialties via its own BOS (Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists). It represents a parallel but distinct certification pathway for physicians, making it a broad-incumbent peer in the US physician-credentialing landscape.
• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): ABMS is the parent umbrella organization of which ABPMR is a member board, and it sets the standards (including the Vision Commission recommendations on continuous certification) that ABPMR's CC program implements. While not a direct competitor, ABMS shapes the regulatory framework, programs (e.g., Visiting Scholars), and policy environment in which ABPMR operates.

Others

• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME): NBME develops and administers standardized medical examinations (USMLE, subject exams) used across US medical education and is a common examination-vendor partner for ABMS boards. While not a peer in certification scope, NBME is a key infrastructure/partner peer in the broader board-certification ecosystem in which ABPMR operates.
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R): AAPM&R is the primary professional membership society for PM&R physicians and a major GTM/CME-data-exchange partner of ABPMR. While not a certification body, its overlapping diplomate base, CME infrastructure, and joint IHHC credit opportunities place it in the closely adjacent ecosystem peer category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abpmr
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanBoardPMR

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation