ACGME Answers: ACGME Accreditation for Programs and Institutions, Not Individual Physicians

This post is part of an ongoing “ACGME Answers” series, expanding on questions the ACGME often receives directly or sees online. To learn more about the ACGME and graduate medical education (GME), review the ACGME FAQs on our website. 

The ACGME plays an important role in health care through its oversight and accreditation of GME programs and institutions across the US, but the scope of ACGME accreditation is sometimes misunderstood. While the ACGME shapes the education and training of medical professionals, it's important to understand that  its role is limited to accreditation of programs and institutions, not the certification of individual physicians.

Certification of individual physicians is overseen not by the ACGME, but rather by the certification boards for medical specialties (more on that below). The ACGME is also not involved in administering exams or conducting individual physician assessments. For example, instead of stating that a physician is ACGME-certified, one would say that a physician graduated from an ACGME-accredited institution or program.

Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Accreditation
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, accredits US allopathic medical schools and the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association accredits US osteopathic medical schools. Medical schools fall under the umbrella of UME, the part of the medical education continuum that prepares medical students before they apply for and enter GME, or residency and then fellowship programs. GME programs and institutions can apply for accreditation by the ACGME.

Distinguishing between GME and Certification
Once residents and fellows complete their residency or fellowship program, their future educational experience is no longer under the direct purview of the ACGME, unless they decide to pursue additional GME experience in an accredited specialty or subspecialty program. This distinction is important, as it helps to clarify the ACGME's role within the medical education continuum.

Following graduation from residency and fellowship programs, physicians are qualified to take certification exams, which are administered by American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) specialty boards, American Osteopathic Association (AOA) specialty boards, and other organizations. Again, certification is an individual achievement, whereas accreditation is a program or organizational one.

The ACGME’s Place on the Medical Education Continuum
By ensuring consistent quality, fostering improvement, and promoting a holistic view of education, the ACGME contributes significantly to the overall advancement of health care through its role as accreditor of GME programs and institutions. As we continue to strive for excellence in medical education, understanding where the ACGME fits into the overall shaping of future health care professionals and, ultimately, improving patient outcomes, is essential.

We hope this post helps clarify the ACGME’s role as an accreditor and where it fits into the broader medical education continuum. Find more information on the ACGME website, and answers to other questions on our general Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you have questions or potential topics you’d like to see explained in more detail in a future post in this ACGME Answers series, email social@acgme.org.