ABA Launches New Alternate Entry Pathway to Help Exceptional Clinicians Achieve Board Certification as the Demand for Anesthesiologists Increases

Raleigh, N.C. (March 12, 2025) – The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) has launched the Exceptional Clinician Pathway allowing internationally trained and certified anesthesiologists practicing in the United States who have proven excellence in clinical care a path to attain ABA board certification. This pathway aims to enhance the quality of patient care, and help address the growing need for more anesthesiologists, by acknowledging the achievements of exceptional clinicians and providing them with a path to board certification.

The Exceptional Clinician Pathway is part of the ABA’s Alternate Entry Path (AEP) program, which encourages outstanding internationally trained anesthesiologists who are certified internationally and practicing in the U.S. to pursue board certification via ACGME-accredited anesthesiology programs. The Exceptional Clinician Pathway emphasizes proven excellence in clinical care for physicians who are skilled clinicians but may not be educators or researchers and was developed to complement our existing AEP programs, which include the Clinician Educator, Research and Fellowship and AEP-Fellowship Pathways.

“The Exceptional Clinician Pathway is a testament to the ABA’s commitment to recognizing and supporting the achievements of outstanding international anesthesiologists,” said ABA Secretary John E. Fiadjoe, M.D. “By providing a pathway for these internationally trained anesthesiologists to achieve ABA certification, we are fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in patient care.”

Program participants will spend four years in an academic anesthesiology training program and are expected to actively engage in departmental educational activities throughout the duration of the program. The pathway requires mentoring plans that demonstrate a trajectory of scholarship in leadership and/or clinical practice over the four years. AEP participants will be periodically evaluated through various methods, including assessments by department chairs and annual In-Training Exams (ITEs) administered by the ABA.

For more information about the Exceptional Clinician Pathway and the AEP program, please visit https://www.theaba.org/training-programs/alternate-entry-path-exceptional-clinician-pathway/.

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ABA Media Contact
Mike Charbonneau
Chief Communications Officer
(919) 745-2233
mike.charbonneau@theaba.org

About the American Board of Anesthesiology
Our mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. As the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, we work with physicians to elevate practice standards and foster exceptional patient care. We administer initial and subspecialty certification exams as well as the continuing certification in anesthesiology program, known as MOCA, which is designed to promote lifelong learning, a commitment to quality clinical outcomes and patient safety. Based in Raleigh, NC, we are a nonprofit organization and a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).