The American Board of Dermatology and Syphilology was incorporated in 1932 to elevate and maintain the standards of this specialty. Its foundation stemmed from a growing awareness that specialization in medicine had to be based on adequate training, knowledge, and experience. In 1955, the official name of the Board was changed to the American Board of Dermatology, Inc.® The original sponsoring organizations were the American Dermatological Association and the Section on Dermatology and Syphilology of the American Medical Association. In 1939, the American Academy of Dermatology became the third sponsoring organization. The Board was originally composed of nine Directors and has gradually expanded to the present size of 18 (including one public member and one young diplomate observer).
The American Board of Dermatology (1932) was one of the four original sponsoring Boards (with the American Boards of Ophthalmology [1917], Otolaryngology [1924], and Obstetrics and Gynecology [1930]) of the Advisory Board of Medical Specialties, the predecessor of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The American Board of Dermatology is one of the 24 member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Additional information about the history of the American Board of Dermatology is available in this article by Dr. Clarence Livingood: History of the American Board of Dermatology, Inc. (1932-1982) and in this presentation by Dr. Randy Roenigk: A Short History of the ABD’s Certification & ITE Examinations.
