Which pain board to take?

[dunecat]

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So, I have noticed that we have a variety of options in terms of pain board choices. I have matched at an ACGME-accredited program and know that I am early, but which board(s) do you recommend for us to take - ie. for insurances/consideration of an academic position/hospital accreditation? ABA, ABMS, ASIPP, am I missing a board and is there even an important difference/are they the same thing?

Also, is it possible to take the boards during the pain fellowship (rather than after completion of the fellowship)? I am currently board-certified in my primary specialty. Thanks - this message board has been very informative for me, and I appreciate your advice!

 

[BobBarker]

You need to take the ABA pain board through the appropriate ABMS (ABA, ABPMR, ABPN, etc) board for you. You don't need to worry about any other boards.

 

[dunecat]

Thanks for the response. So that would make it the ABA pain board through ABPN, in my case.

 

[A Witty Fool]

So let's say you're a neurologist in an accredited pain fellowship. You would take the ABA pain board through the ABPN?

 

[dunecat]

Yes, here's the link: http://www.abpn.com/become-certified/taking-a-subspecialty-exam/pain-medicine/. I guess that we'll apply after November 2016 and take it in September 2017. ("All candidates applying or reapplying for certification in pain medicine must complete 12 months of ACGME-accredited training in pain medicine. Training must be completed by July 31 of the year of the examination.")

 

[Agast]

Just fyi, the deadline for applying to the ABA pain board exam is different for anesthesiologists vs. PM&R applicants - so don't rely on your anesthesia colleagues for timeline. I know some people who got screwed over by that.

 

[A Witty Fool]

When do newly graduated fellows typically take the pain boards, 6 months after graduation or thereabouts?

 

[bronchospasm]

There is only one real board . ABMS.