In the state of Florida, it is not permitted to hold oneself out as a board-certified specialist unless you have obtained a certification through a specialty board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or other recognizing agency that has been approved by the board. This does not prevent a physician from advertising that his or her practice is limited to one or more types of services when this accurately reflects the scope of practice of the physician. If a physician has received a specialty certification from a recognizing agency not approved by the Board of Medicine, he or she can advertise such certification on a letterhead or advertisement only if such letterhead or advertisement contains, in the same print size or volume, the following statement: “The specialty recognition identified herein has been received from a private organization not affiliated with or recognized by the Florida Board of Medicine.” Finally, a physician may not hold himself or herself out as a board-certified specialist in dermatology unless the recognizing agency, whether authorized in statute or by rule, is triennially reviewed and reauthorized by the Board of Medicine.
Other recognizing agencies currently approved by the Board of Medicine include:
- American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Inc.
- American Board of Pain Medicine
- American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc./American Board of Physician Specialties
- American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians
For additional information regarding the advertising of board certifications, please refer to s. 458.3312, F.S. and Rule 64B8-11.001, F.A.C.
