Begin Certification
Earn your certification through a series of exams: BASIC, ADVANCED and APPLIED.
Continue Certification
Sharpen your knowledge and advance your practice through MOCA.
Training Programs
Prepare for certification exams through a variety of training options.
About
Setting standards and leading innovation for the practice of anesthesiology since 1938
Since 2008, the ABA has offered certification in hospice and palliative medicine (HPM), a subspecialty based on expanding scientific knowledge about symptom control when a cure is not possible and providing appropriate care during the last months of life. Research, teaching and practice efforts in this field have led to a vast increase in knowledge related to relieving the suffering of seriously ill patients and their families.
These specialists largely practice in one of two distinct professional roles: hospice medical director or institution-based palliative care practice.
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) administers this exam. After you register in ABA GO, ABIM will reach out to schedule.
Exam Date
Nov. 10, 2025
Standard Registration
Dec. 1, 2024-June 15, 2025
Fees
$2400 | Retake: $1800
The HPM exam is administered by ABIM; therefore, the ABA does not offer MOCA Minute questions covering hospice and palliative medicine. ABIM provides two options for maintaining your HPM subspecialty certification: a recertification exam or Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA)
If you’re already certified in hospice and palliative care medicine, you can take the HPM Recertification Exam once in your 10-year MOCA cycle to maintain your subspecialty certification.
LKA offers an alternative to traditional recertification exams.
Over the course of 5 years, you’ll be offered 600 questions and must open at least 500 to meet the LKA Participation Requirement.
You’ll receive 30 questions at the start of each quarter and can answer them any time before the end of that quarter. If you don’t meet the Participation Requirement, ABIM will let you know, and you’ll be able to take the traditional, 10-year MOC exam to stay certified.
