Physician Certification

Starting in 2008, the examination will be administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS.) See our Physician Certification Factsheet and the AAHPM website for full details.

The next American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) hospice and palliative medicine certification exam is scheduled for November 16, 2010. Registration cycles have been announced for several of the 10 co-sponsoring boards.

A 12-month accredited fellowship program will be required after the grandfathering period ends in 2012. Physicians interested in gaining entry into the examination before then should be working now to attain the required number of clinical hours and interdisciplinary team involvement.

Visit the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) for full details.

Nursing Certification

The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses website offers information about hospice and palliative nursing certification. A calendar of testing dates is also available.

Social Work Certification

NHPCO and NASW Announce the First Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker Credential (ACHP-SW). This is the first national credential in hospice and palliative care tailored to capture the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional social workers in hospice and palliative care settings. Developed in collaboration and partnership between NASW and NHPCO, it became available from NASW on November 1, 2008.

In order to secure the ACHP-SW, a social worker must be a member of both NASW and NHPCO’s National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals (NCHPP). NCHPP is the individual membership category of NHPCO, comprised of professionals who work throughout the hospice and palliative care field. NCHPP exists to support the individual discipline and the team concept. Social workers who are employed by a organizational provider member of NHPCO can join NCHPP for free. For others, a modest membership rate applies. Student rates are also available. More information on the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker Credential is available on the NASW Web site or by calling NASW at 202-408-8600, ext. 447.