American Board of Sleep Medicine

What American Board of Sleep Medicine does

The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) is an independent, nonprofit credentialing body incorporated in Illinois in 1991 that verifies sleep-related professional credentials and administers recertification for its Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) designation. Its core portfolio historically included Sleep Medicine physician certification (1978–2006), Behavioral Sleep Medicine certification (2003–2014), International Sleep Specialist certification (2000–2006), and the RST credential for sleep technologists (launched 2011, closed to new applicants in 2022). All physician and behavioral certifications are lifetime credentials; only the RST required periodic renewal, with a five-year recertification cycle priced at $50 plus an optional $50 ninety-day extension fee. The RST credential is scheduled to permanently sunset on December 31, 2032.

The organization's technology footprint is a web-based credential management and primary-source verification portal at my.absm.org, an online continuing education credit tracking system for RST recertification, and computer-based multiple-choice examinations administered at testing centers (the RST exam comprised 150 questions over four hours). Supporting services include online credential verification for Diplomates, BSM specialists, RST holders, and International Sleep Specialists, plus duplicate certificate ordering at $25 per certificate. Distribution is predominantly self-serve through the website, with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Career Center serving as a partner channel for job placement in the field.

ABSM generates revenue through a narrow set of small-dollar fees: RST recertification ($50 every five years), ninety-day extension fees ($50), duplicate certificates ($25), and credential verification services. The organization shares operational infrastructure with AASM at 2510 North Frontage Road, Darien, IL, and maintains reciprocal relationships with BRPT (for RST-to-RPSGT credential transitions), AAST, AARC, ASET, the Canadian Sleep Society, and the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the discontinuation of the RST exam combined with the 2032 sunset places the active credentialing book of business on a defined declining trajectory.

Name

American Board of Sleep Medicine

Legal name

American Board of Sleep Medicine

Website

https://absm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) is an independent nonprofit that verifies sleep medicine credentials for physicians, behavioral sleep medicine providers, and sleep technologists, and administers five-year recertification for its Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) designation, with the RST credential scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2032.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAHAE

Sleep Health & Recovery Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Education (Nutrition, Fitness, Mindfulness)

Keywords

• Sleep medicine certification
• Professional credential verification
• Sleep technologist certification
• Medical board certification
• Behavioral sleep medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Darien

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Certification Examination Fees: Fees for taking the Sleep Technologist Registry Examination (discontinued May 2022 for new applicants)
2. RST Recertification Fees: Recertification Fee of $50 for maintaining RST credential every five years, with optional $50 one-time 90-day extension fee
3. Duplicate Certificate Fees: $25 per duplicate certificate for credential holders requesting replacement certificates

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The American Board of Sleep Medicine provides professional certification and credential verification services for sleep medicine professionals. Core offerings include Sleep Medicine Certification for physicians (lifetime credential), Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification for mental health providers, and Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) credentials for sleep technologists. Supporting services include online credential verification, continuing education credit tracking, and recertification administration.

Product overview

The American Board of Sleep Medicine offers a portfolio of certification and credentialing services for sleep medicine professionals. The core offerings include Sleep Medicine Certification for physicians (lifetime credential, examination offered 1978-2006), Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification (offered 2003-2014, lifetime), and the Registered Sleep Technologist credential (established 2011, discontinued for new applicants 2022, sunsets 2032). The ABSM also offered an International Sleep Specialist examination (2000-2006). Supporting services include online credential verification, RST credit tracking for continuing education management, and duplicate certificate ordering. All credentials are lifetime certifications except RST, which requires five-year recertification with 50 continuing education credits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sleep Medicine Certification Certification examination for physicians in sleep medicine. Individuals who completed required training and passed the examination are referred to as Diplomates of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. This is a lifetime credential recognized worldwide as a standard of excellence in sleep medicine.
• Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification Certification examination for behavioral sleep medicine offered to MDs, PhDs, and PsyDs who provide behavioral sleep medicine services including CBT-I. Certified individuals hold a lifetime credential and may use designations such as Certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, Certified BSM, or CBSM.
• Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) Credential Credential for sleep technologists demonstrating knowledge and aptitude in sleep technology by passing the Sleep Technologist Registry Examination (computer-based, 150 questions, four hours). The RST credential satisfies sleep technologist training requirements per AASM Standards for Accreditation. The credential sunsets permanently on December 31, 2032.
• International Sleep Specialist Credential Certification examination for non-US or non-Canadian citizens who passed ABSM's international examination. Candidates who successfully completed the examination were issued an ABSM certificate as a Certified International Sleep Specialist.
• RST Recertification Recertification service for RST credential holders requiring renewal every five years. The ABSM administers recertification and maintains credentials through December 31, 2032. Requires 50 continuing education credits (CECs) and current BLS certification. Recertification fee is $50 with optional $50 one-time 90-day extension fee.
• Credential Verification Online primary source verification service for all ABSM credentials including Sleep Medicine Diplomates, Behavioral Sleep Medicine Specialists, Registered Sleep Technologists, and International Sleep Specialists. Provides primary source verification of certification status for employers and regulatory bodies.
• Duplicate Certificate Order Online order service for duplicate certificates available for RST, BSM, and Sleep Medicine credentials. Certificates are mailed within 2-3 weeks. Hard copy is $25 per certificate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,445 cumulative Diplomates certified from 1978-2006
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRPT has agreed to include the RST credential in the list of accepted allied health credentials for RPSGT Pathway 2, providing RST holders a pathway to RPSGT certification. ABSM committed to helping RST credential holders transition to RPSGT credential.
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABSM shares office location and operational alignment with AASM. RST credential satisfies the sleep technologist training requirement per AASM Standards for Accreditation. AASM Career Center used for job placement in sleep medicine field.
• American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAAST continuing education credits qualify for RST recertification requirements. AAST CECs were linked to ABSM accounts until July 1, 2017, after which all CE credits must be manually uploaded.
• American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAARC continuing education credits qualify as acceptable CECs for RST recertification.
• The Neurodiagnostic Society (ASET)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASET continuing education credits qualify as acceptable CECs for RST recertification.
• Canadian Sleep Society (CSS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCSS continuing education credits qualify as acceptable CECs for RST recertification for Canadian sleep professionals.
• State Sleep SocietiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState sleep society continuing education credits qualify as acceptable CECs for RST recertification.
• Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBSM offers voluntary accreditation to Behavioral Sleep Medicine training programs that promote excellence in preparation of trainees entering professional practice of behavioral sleep medicine.
• Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BBSM)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn 2018, BBSM began offering Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification. Credential verification for BBSM diplomates is available on the BBSM website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists: Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists administers the RPSGT credential, the leading sleep-technologist certification. It is the closest direct peer because both organizations certify sleep professionals and manage credential status.
• Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine: Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine began offering Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification in 2018 and provides credential verification for its diplomates. It directly overlaps ABSM's behavioral sleep credentialing, continuing-education, and verification functions.
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology administers medical specialty and subspecialty certification, including sleep medicine. It is a direct model for ABSM's physician certification and credential-verification function.
• National Board for Respiratory Care: National Board for Respiratory Care provides credentialing examinations and continuing-competency requirements for respiratory-care professionals. Its allied-health certification, recertification, and registry model are comparable to ABSM's sleep-technologist credential maintenance.

Broad incumbents

• American Board of Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine is a large physician specialty board with standardized certification, maintenance-of-certification, and online verification processes. It is a broader incumbent model for ABSM's physician credentialing and standards-setting function.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants develops and administers certification and recertification for a healthcare profession. It is comparable to ABSM's examination, verification, and professional-renewal workflows, although it serves a different profession.
• American Board of Medical Specialties: American Board of Medical Specialties is the umbrella organization for member specialty boards and sets standards for specialty and subspecialty certification. It is a broad incumbent comparable to ABSM's standards-setting and certification function, but it is not a direct sleep-credential competitor.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center: American Nurses Credentialing Center certifies nurses and advanced-practice nurses and provides credential verification and continuing professional-development pathways. It is comparable to ABSM's professional credentialing and renewal infrastructure, though nursing is a different field.

Others

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine: American Academy of Sleep Medicine is the leading professional society and accreditation body in sleep medicine and provides standards and career resources used by ABSM. It is an adjacent ecosystem participant because it shapes the field and channels professionals, but it is not a direct credential issuer.
• American Association of Sleep Technologists: American Association of Sleep Technologists is a professional association for sleep technologists and supports continuing education, career resources, and industry advocacy. It is an adjacent ecosystem participant because it supports the same professionals and continuing-education workflow, although it does not issue ABSM's credential.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Board of Sleep Medicine