The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) supports the growth of sleep medicine as a medical specialty internationally. Accordingly, when the ABSM administered a certification examination, it offered an examination for non-US or non-Canadian citizens from 2000-2006. Candidates who successfully completed the examination were issued an ABSM certificate as a Certified International Sleep Specialist.

Full certification was not granted by the ABSM to examinees in countries outside the US or Canada since full ABSM certification requires not only successful completion of the examination, but also specific training and experience, which could not be adequately monitored or evaluated for non-US or non-Canadian citizens. Consequently, candidates who passed the examination under the international policy may not use the designation of Diplomate of the ABSM or ABSM Certified Sleep Specialist when referring to their qualifications. The ABSM no longer offers the International Sleep Specialist exam.

Learn more about the appropriate use of the International Sleep Specialist Credential.

International Sleep Specialist Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Certification by the American Board of Sleep Medicine does not in itself confer authority to practice medicine beyond the authority granted by a state that issues a license to practice medicine.

The American Board of Sleep Medicine throughout its history offered non-physicians, specifically PhDs, the opportunity to sit for its examination. Many PhD candidates over the years successfully passed the examination and received the designation “diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine.” This designation must not be interpreted to mean that the American Board of Sleep Medicine designation supersedes any state or federal law with regard to medical license requirements for the treatment of patients. Those who have successfully passed the exam MUST be careful not to practice medicine outside of their legal limits.