ABAM Lifetime Certificate

Beginning in May 2025, ABAM will offer all ABAM Diplomates in good standing the opportunity to apply for an ABAM Lifetime Certificate. This coincides with the close of the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) practice pathway to addiction medicine certification. For specifics and application deadlines for ABPM addiction medicine certification, visit theabpm.org.

ABAM Lifetime Certificate Statement

The American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) stopped certifying new applicants in 2015 and will cease all operations on September 1, 2025. Beginning in May 2025, ABAM will offer a Lifetime Certificate to all active Diplomates. As of August 1, 2025, ABAM will no longer monitor ABAM Diplomate Lifetime Certificate holders for their participation in maintenance of certification programs or their compliance with state medical board licensure. ABAM will make no endorsement of Lifetime Certificate holders beyond acknowledgment that as of August 1, 2025, the Certificate holder was an active ABAM Diplomate. Only those Diplomates with no actions according to the Federation of State Medical Boards as of August 1, 2025, will be considered for Lifetime status.

 

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the ABAM Lifetime Certificate, current ABAM Diplomates must participate in the ABAM Transitional Continuous Certification Program (TraCC) through the 2024 renewal cycle. Currently there are no reinstatement opportunities for lapsed or inactive Diplomates. Time-Limited Diplomates must complete 26 addiction medicine AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. 

Learn More about TraCC

 

Application Process

In May 2025, the ABAM Lifetime Certificate application process will open for ABAM Diplomates who are current at that time. ABAM will email eligible candidates an invitation to apply.

  • Complete the application form
  • Verify state medical licensure, active with no restrictions
  • Verify having met CME requirements as outlined above (Time-Limited Diplomates Only)
  • Pay one-time fee: $1,000
  • Deadline to apply: July 31, 2025, no reinstatement or extension options will be available.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We have created the following resource to answer questions related to the ABAM Lifetime credential. Be sure to review the entire document for answers to your questions. This document will be updated as new questions are received.

Lifetime Certificate FAQ