Get a Card That Says You Exceed the Need for Short Course Merit Badges

ACEP believes that certification by ABEM or AOBEM supersedes the need for so-called "merit badge" short courses. Such courses are generally designed for a broad spectrum of providers including non-emergency physicians and non-physicians. These are sometimes required for medical staff privileges.

ACEP, as a member of the Coalition Opposed to Medical Merit Badges, opposes such requirements for these short courses for emergency physicians certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) who are participating in continued Board Certification programs. This participation ensures that emergency physicians are current on the knowledge and skills needed to care for acutely ill and injured patient with content and rigor that exceeds that of these short courses.

Many credentialing bodies, however, still require emergency physicians to produce evidence of completion of the short courses.

For emergency physicians required to have a card, ACEP offers its members a set of personalized cards online, and attest that they are currently Board Certified by ABEM or AOBEM and have expertise in

• Procedural Sedation
• Cardiac Resuscitation, and
• Trauma 

Our legacy physicians likely have the knowledge and skill exceeding that provided by the short courses. However, there is unfortunately no way to confirm that a legacy physician is current with that knowledge and skill. Physicians who are not Board Certified, as well as some who are current with their Certification, may find value in periodic, short courses focused in emergency care. 

Read ACEP's Policy Statement on the Use of Short Courses in Emergency Medicine as Criteria for Privileging or Employment.