Internal Medicine / Physical Medicine & Rehab Policy Overview

The American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation offer dual certification for candidates who have completed at least two and a half years of suitable accredited training in each specialty. A combined residency must include at least five years of coherent training integral to residencies in the two disciplines. It is strongly recommended that the participating residencies be in the same institution.

To meet eligibility requirements for dual certification, the resident must satisfactorily complete 60 months of combined education, which must be verified by the directors of both programs. The written certifying examinations cannot be taken until required training in a specialty has been satisfactorily completed. The certifying examination in internal medicine cannot be taken prior to the fall of the fifth year in the combined program.