ABMG History

The American Board of Medical Genetics certifies individuals and accredits training programs in the field of human genetics.

The establishment of the American Board of Medical Genetics evolved out of a recognized need and commitment by the founding members to improve the level and standards of clinical care in the area of medical genetics, both for the care giver and the institutions providing care. It was also apparent that within this rapidly-expanding field, specific areas of expertise were emerging, all equally important components of the clinical genetics health care delivery system. Thus, a twelve-member Board of Directors was founded consisting of human geneticists representing expertise in the areas of clinical genetics, medical genetics, laboratory genetics (including clinical cytogenetics, clinical biochemical and clinical molecular genetics) and genetic counseling.

To reinforce its commitment to quality care at the individual level, the Board, with the assistance of the National Board of Medical Examiners, instituted certifying examinations in these areas of expertise. These certifying examinations are offered every three years. Because the technology of medical genetics is advancing so rapidly, test questions must be thoroughly reviewed and rewritten each time to be sure that the geneticists who take the exams are thoroughly up-to-date in a fast-moving field. In order to be eligible to sit for the examination, the candidate must have successfully completed a minimum of two years in an ABMG-accredited training program. Individuals who want to sit for clinical genetics and a laboratory specialty must complete a minimum of three years in an ABMG- or ACGME accredited training program (see certification requirements).

In order to ensure that state-of-the-art techniques, standards and practices are being met at the institutional level, a stringent process of accreditation has been made available to programs that train medical genetics personnel in the areas of clinical and laboratory medicine. The Residency Review Committee (RRC) for the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredits clinical training programs and the ABMG continues to accredit Ph.D. and laboratory training programs.

In September of 1991, the Executive Committee of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the Assembly of the ABMS approved our application for acceptance as a new board of the ABMS and, in a parallel but independent action, the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association approved the application December of 1991. The ABMS has approved the certification of M.D.'s and Ph.D.'s in the areas of clinical genetics, Ph.D. medical genetics, clinical biochemical genetics, clinical cytogenetics and clinical molecular genetics. At the same time, the genetic counselors (master's prepared individuals) established their own board for certification of individuals and the accreditation of graduate level training programs.