Becoming a board-certified palliative care physician is a long but rewarding journey. Here is the full path - from undergraduate study through a dedicated palliative care fellowship.
12–16 yrs
Total training
1 yr
Palliative fellowship
4
MCAT sections
Steps to Become a Board-Certified Palliative Care Physician
- 1
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
Start with a bachelor’s degree, ideally in a pre-med program, to complete the math and science prerequisites for medical school. Suggested coursework includes general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, microbiology, genetics, physiology, and some humanities and psychology. Maintaining high grades and preparing for the MCAT are essential. - 2
Take the MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical step for medical school admission - a 7.5-hour exam divided into four sections:- Biological & Biochemical Foundations
- Chemical & Physical Foundations
- Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations
- Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills
- 3
Earn a Medical Degree (4 years)
Enroll in either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. Both focus on similar treatments, but DO programs also emphasize osteopathic medicine. - 4
Complete a Residency Program (3–7 years)
Residency involves hands-on training under supervision in a specialty such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, or one of many other options. - 5
Complete a Fellowship in Palliative Care (1 year)
After residency, pursue a one-year accredited fellowship in palliative care. This specialized training expands your expertise in hospice and palliative medicine. Some programs include additional tracks in research, geriatrics, or public health. - 6
Pass the Board Certification Examination
After completing fellowship training, physicians must pass the subspecialty board examination in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, administered through their sponsoring specialty board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between board certification for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and physicians in palliative care?
Nurse Practitioners can earn board certification in palliative care by passing the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) exam, which focuses on the nursing-specific scope of practice. Physicians achieve board certification in hospice and palliative medicine after completing residency, a one-year fellowship, and passing the board certification exam.
How many years does it take to become a fellowship-trained MD or DO in palliative care?
Becoming a fellowship-trained physician involves:
- 4 years of undergraduate education
- 4 years of medical school
- 3–7 years of residency, depending on the chosen specialty
- 1 year of a palliative care fellowship
What study materials and preparation options are available for palliative care certification?
For physicians preparing for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) board exam, key resources include the AAHPM Review Course. Our comprehensive review course and question bank align with the ACHPN and CHPN exam blueprints and are highly effective for NP and RN certification preparation.
How can a review course help in exam preparation?
A well-structured review course provides:
- A detailed understanding of exam content.
- Practice questions tailored to the specific exam blueprint.
- Study schedules and strategies to enhance retention.
Preparing for the ACHPN or CHPN exam?
Our review course and question bank align with the ACHPN and CHPN exam blueprints to help NPs and RNs succeed.