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Physiatry News

Latest Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Statistics

Here is some current information on the landscape of physiatry today.  The field continues to grow!  It is now attracting even more qualified medical students.

Article about physical medicine and rehabilitation statistics with picture of doctors

STATISTICS – as of 3/2025

 Total number of Board Certified physiatrists – 15,096

Physiatry residency programs:  90

Number of ACGME-accredited Fellowship programs:  sports medicine – 141, spinal cord injury – 25, pediatric rehab – 25, traumatic brain injury – 27, neuromuscular medicine -4, and hospice and palliative medicine – 3, pain – 109

BOARD CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Part 1

The written exam is administered annually in August.  It can only be taken post-residency.  Applications must be received by the preceding January.  498 first-year graduates took the exam on 8/2024.  86% successfully passed the examination the first time.  This is the historic pass rate.

Part II

The oral examination may be taken only after one year of clinical practice fellowship, research, or a combination of these activities in PM&R is completed following residency.  The exam can be taken in May; the deadline for registration is the preceding November 15th.  444 first year graduates took the exam on 5/2024.  88% successfully passed the examination the first time.  This is the historic pass rate.

Candidates must satisfactorily pass both the written exam and the oral exam in order to be certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  A physiatrist must be recertified every 10 years.

FARR HEALTHCARE DATABASE – as of 3/2025

  • 14,798 physiatrists with practice and area preferences for most of them
  • 5,772 email addresses

Please refer to Farr Healthcare, Inc.’s website for information about physical medicine and rehabilitation practice opportunities and more.