The organization operates as a certification body for physicians seeking the designation of "certified medical director" of post-accute and long-term care facilities.

Abplm administers a certification program whereby physician medical directors may apply for certification from the abplm board of directors to receive the designation of becoming an american board of post-acute and long-term care medicine certified medical director, ("abplm cmd"). Medical directors in settings including: nursing/skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, post-acute care, home care, hospice, pace, and veteran affairs are eligible for certification. Once awarded, the certification is valid for six years, after which recertification is required to maintain abplm cmd status. The abplm cmd in post-accute and long term care program was developed by amda in 1991 and was incorporated in 1996 under abplm. The certified medical director program recognizes the dual clinical and managerial roles of the medical director. Certification requires indicators of competence in clinical medicine and medical management in long-term care. The certification process is based on an experimental model that incorporates existing mechanisms such as fellowship programs, board certification, continuing medical education, cmd-approved and amda sponsored courses in medical direction, and other continuing education programs to fulfill certification requirements. Currently, no additional examination or testing is required. Since the program's inception, over 3,930 physician medical directors have received the abplm cmd designation.