The mission of the American Board of Pathology, a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, is to serve the public and advance the profession of pathology by setting certification standards and promoting lifelong competency of pathologists. The ABPath accomplishes its mission through the following principal activities: - Establishing certification and maintenance of certification standards. - Assessing the qualifications of those seeking to obtain voluntary certification in the specialty of pathology. - Conducting voluntary primary and subspecialty certification examinations and awarding certificates to successful candidates. - Encouraging participation in Maintenance of Certification as a means to assist physicians certified by the ABP in maintaining competencies necessary for provision of quality patient care. - Participating in the review of pathology training programs and supporting the directors and trainees of these programs. - Maintaining communication with pathology and other medical organizations, with its Diplomates, and with others as appropriate. - Encouraging the study of pathology. - Maintaining a registry of its Diplomates. The ABPath does not confer a legal qualification or license to practice pathology and does not delineate who may or may not engage in the practice of pathology or obtain hospital privileges. The ABPath does not define the scope of specialty practice.