The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is the U.S. board that sets the standards and certifies the knowledge, skills and attitudes of physicians who practice in Internal Medicine and its subspecialties. Through ABIM’s Certification and Maintenance of Certification processes, successful candidates are awarded or maintain Board Certified status. These physicians—referred to as Diplomates—have demonstrated the ability and the commitment to lifelong learning necessary to provide the high quality of medical care that every patient deserves. Certification is not a requirement to practice internal medicine, and the Board does not confer privileges to practice. The ABIM does not intend either to interfere with or to restrict the professional activities of a licensed physician based on certification status.