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American Society of Addiciton Medicine

Your Online Guide to a Certification in Addiction Medicine

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How to Get and Maintain Your Addiction Medicine Certification

Addiction medicine specialists offer growing value to providers, employers, patients, and communities. As the need increases for specialists who can treat the unique challenges of people managing the disease of addiction, getting your certification in addiction medicine may be a worthy investment for you.

Ƶ is the professional organization for addiction medicine professionals and the educational resource for certification, recertification, and MOC/CCP/OCC. If you’re thinking about specializing in addiction medicine, we can help you prepare. And this guide is the place to start.

 In January 2023, MOC will transition to Continuing Certification Program (CCP).


 

 

First, Some History

In 2016, the recognized addiction medicine as a new medical subspecialty of The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), which now administers the board exam for Addiction Medicine (ADM). Physicians certified by any of the 24 ABMS Member Boards can apply for certification through the exam administered by the ABPM.

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) administers its board exam for addiction medicine certification. As of May 26, 2021, MDs may also take the AOA addiction medicine certification exam, in addition to DOs. For more information, .

Do You Meet the Basic Requirements for Addiction Medicine Certification?

There are several pathways for physicians to become certified addiction medicine specialists.

American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)

Practice Pathway Open through June 2025, applicants who complete minimum time in practice or a non-ACGME-accredited fellowship training will be considered for the addiction medicine subspecialty exam.

ACGME-Accredited Fellowship Pathway Beginning in 2026, it will be mandatory that physicians complete an ACGME accredited addiction medicine fellowship in order to be eligible to apply to take the exam.

American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

Clinical Practice Pathway Until Dec. 31st, 2026, applicants who either attest to 1,000 hours of addiction medicine practice, hold an active ABAM certificate, or complete an ACAAM (formerly TAMF and ABAM) accredited fellowship within the five years prior to the application start day may be eligible.

There are also addiction medicine certification exams for psychiatrists, international physicians, and non-physicians.

AOA or ACGME-Accredited Fellowship Pathway Beginning in 2027, it will be mandatory that physicians complete an ACGME accredited addiction medicine fellowship in order to be eligible to apply to take the exam.

Explore some of the certifying boards' pathways to eligibility to determine if you qualify.

Prepare for the ABPM/ADM AOA Certification Exam

Prepare for the ABPM or AOA ADM certification exam by enrolling in Ƶ’s and

  • ABPM Application Period for MDs: March – June 2025
  • ABPM Exam Administration for MDs: Offered in October 2025
  • AOA Application Period for DOs: May – September 2025
  • AOA Exam Administration for DOs: Offered in October 2025

Get detailed information about the certification exam.

Maintain Your Credential

Once certified, addiction medicine specialists must maintain certification by meeting educational requirements for the assessment of continuing competencies through a program called Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or Continuing Certification Program (CCP)/Osteopathic Continuous program (OCC).

Ƶ is the leading provider of quality education, exam preparation, and resources for addiction medicine certification and maintenance of certification. Ƶ is here every step of the way to provide assistance in meeting needs for CME/CE and MOC/CCP/OCC.

Explore Ƶ’s resources for CME/CE that meet MOC/CCP/OCC requirements

Get Started

Join Ƶ and Get Started on Certification Today

Your career in addiction medicine starts with us. Join and start maximizing your membership benefits right now.

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Explore Additional Resources

What is Addiction Medicine & What is an Addiction Medicine Specialist?

Learn More

Understand the Eligibility Pathways to ADM certification

Learn More

Understand How to Maintain your ADM Certification

Learn More

Use Ƶ's Certification and MOC/CCP/OCC Resources

Learn More

Understand the Special FƵ and DFƵ Credentials

Learn More

Browse Ƶ’s Courses for Maintaining your ADM Certification  

Note: Ƶ is not a certifying board, and members are encouraged to contact their respective boards for the most up-to- date information on individual MOL/MOC/CCP/OCC requirements

Maintenance of Licensure (MOL)

Addiction Medicine Certification for Physicians

 
Individual State Medical Boards
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)

Umbrella Board that establishes and maintains certification standards of 24 approved medical specialty boards
American Osteopathic Association


Board that establishes and maintains certification standards of approved medical subspecialty boards
LicensureAmerican Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) Addiction Medicine ExamOsteopathic Conjoint Examination Committee on Addiction Medicine
 An ABMS’ Primary Board, ABPM, provides certification and maintenance of certification for the subspecialty of addiction medicineAOA’s Conjoint Examination Committee provides certification and maintenance of certification for the subspecialty of addiction medicine
Maintenance of License
Licensure requirements are set by your primary board 

Continuing Certification
Program (CCP)

Board-certified physicians maintain CCP in the subspecialty of Addiction Medicine set by the ABPM
Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC)

Board-certified physicians maintain OCC in the subspecialty of Addiction Medicine set by AOA primary boards

 

Ƶ

Your professional association and provider of lifelong learning tools and resources for MOC/CCP/OCC