What is a board-certified allergist?
Do you sometimes feel allergies are out of your control? It may be time to visit a board-certified allergist! From sniffles to sneezes and beyond, life with allergies can feel frustrating when you’re on your own. Luckily, trained allergy specialists are ready to help you discover relief. If you’re seeking expert guidance and personalized care, look no further than these highly-qualified allergy doctors.
What is a board-certified allergist?
While all allergists have expertise in allergy care, not all allergists may be board-certified. A board-certified allergist is a medical doctor who has undergone additional, extensive training and education in allergies, asthma and immunology. These doctors specialize in diagnosing, treating and managing various allergic conditions, helping patients find relief from symptoms and improve their quality of life.
How do you become an allergist?
Allergists must complete at least nine years of study and training beyond their four-year bachelor’s degree. While the road to board certification is long, this intense commitment ensures your provider has the knowledge, understanding and skills to treat your symptoms effectively, efficiently and with the utmost confidence. Steps to becoming a board-certified allergist often include the following:
Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years): Like all higher education students, hopeful allergists begin the journey by earning a bachelor’s degree, often in biology, chemistry, etc.
Medical Degree (Four Years): Allergists then complete medical school, which typically takes four years. During this time, they acquire a comprehensive understanding of general medical principles. Board-certified allergists may earn an M.D. or D.O. degree in the U.S.
Residency Training (Three to Four Years): Following medical school, allergists undergo a residency program in internal medicine, pediatrics or a combined medicine-pediatrics program. This training focuses on building foundational knowledge and clinical skills, followed by a certification exam from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and/or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology (Two Years): Following their residency, aspiring allergists pursue additional specialized training through an accredited allergy and immunology training program. This fellowship lasts two to three years and provides in-depth training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of allergies, asthma and immunological disorders.
How does an allergist become board-certified?
After completing fellowship training, allergists are eligible to become board-certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). The ABAI is an independent organization that evaluates allergists’ knowledge, skills and expertise through rigorous board certification examinations. By completing these examinations, allergists have proven they possess the highest competency standards and are qualified to provide specialized care.
Find board-certified allergists near you!
Discover symptom relief you can trust close to home. At Family Allergy & Asthma, our trusted allergy specialists are always ready to guide patients toward relief. With locations across the nation, allergy relief is always close to home. Contact us today to schedule your child’s allergy appointment.
About Family Allergy & Asthma
Founded in 1979, Family Allergy & Asthma’s practice network of allergy and asthma specialists provides high-quality, reliable and lasting allergy relief throughout Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and includes affiliates Allergy & Asthma Specialists (AAS), Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida (AAAF) and Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic (AAAC). For more information, visit familyallergy.com, and follow Family Allergy & Asthma on Facebook, Instagram and X.
