The initial application is open through July 31, 2025. To learn more, click here! 

About HMDCB: Certification & Community for Hospice Medical Directors & Physicians

The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) serves as an important workforce initiative for the hospice field by providing a standardized comprehensive examination to assess the knowledge and skills of hospice physicians/medical directors. HMDCB also provides a community where hospice physicians can connect, collaborate, and expand their hospice knowledge. There are currently over 1,300 certified physicians throughout the country. This includes both full-time and part-time hospice physicians, from a variety of different organizational and geographic settings, and with varied years of experience and responsibilities.

HMDCB certification is the only certification specifically for hospice physicians/medical directors. The certification provides the tools to help physicians expand their hospice knowledge and leadership skills, improve patient care, and be more effective partners with hospice administrators.  

HMDCB certification is complementary to ABMS and AOA hospice & palliative board certification, but specific to the practice of hospice medicine, as the HMDCB examination assesses additional expertise in the unique competencies to perform the role of a hospice physician/medical director, such as regulatory, administrative, and hospice specific clinical skills. This certification is beneficial for physicians who are HPM board certified and those who are not. To learn more about the difference between these certifications, review this document or watch this brief video.

Legislation Supporting HMDCB

HMDCB has been gaining traction in the national dialogue as being an important marker of quality. Review the below documents to learn more.

New California Bill - a recently passed bill to update the state’s Health & Safety Code included a reporting requirement for hospices to share whether their physicians are certified by HMDCB or an ABMS Board.

AAHPM's Letter - in a recent letter to Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) about hospice program integrity, AAHPM recommends reporting on physicians who are HPM or HMDCB-certified and incentivizing hospice physicians to earn the HMDC credential.

Visit HMDCB’s Website

Hear about the value of HMDCB-certification from a California based physician. 

2025 Certification Deadlines and Fees

Apply Today

Employer Discount Program

HMDCB provides organizations that are interested in certifying multiple physicians during one application window the opportunity to receive a discount on the initial examination fee. This provides an employer the unique opportunity to support the professional development of its Hospice Medical Director and/or physicians while also being recognized as an institution that invests in its staff.

Employer Discounts

Preparing for the Exam

To prepare for the HMDCB examination, review the resources available at www.HMDCB.org/prepare. The CHAPCA Leadership Workshop and Physician Workshop can be used to help prepare for the exam. To learn more and register, click here. All candidates can receive the member rate. Email [email protected] for the code. The CHAPCA courses and other preparatory resources are not guaranteed to comprehensively prepare applicants for the exam.

 To learn more about the initial certification program, review the below resources:

Eligibility Requirements

Initial Candidate Handbook

Content Blueprint  

Exam Prep Resources

HMDCB Community

Value of HMDCB

HMDCB certification shows a hospice physician's dedication towards continuing to grow in this role, understand the hospice regulations, and also find a community of other physicians who are available as a resource. In addition, I feel that it elevates the prestige of our hospice program. 

-Kavita Sharma, MD HMDC, Medical Director, Aurora at Home and Aurora Zilber Family Hospice

Elara Caring finds great value in HMDCB-certified physicians. We know that certified physicians possess the basic skills necessary to provide certification of terminal illness, lead the hospice IDG team, and provide effective palliative treatment to our patients.

-Kevin Henning, MD FAAFP FAAHPM HMDC, Chief Medical Officer at Elara Caring