The ABHP Certification Program has been evolving throughout its history. In 1977 a continuing Certification Program was initiated. By 1981 the program had grown to the point an Executive Secretary was hired to carry out the day-to-day efforts and to maintain the permanent records. The size and maturity of the certification program prompted the ABHP to suggest a further step in this evolving process. In response to the ABHP's belief that the growing body of Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) should have more input and participation in the certification program, efforts were initiated in 1982 to create an American Academy of Health Physics. The Academy is not intended to duplicate the activities of the Health Physics Society. In 1994, the corporate structures of the ABHP and the Academy were consolidated.

In 1978, a specialty certification for Power Reactor Health Physics was developed. The Power Reactor Health Physics specialty certification was discontinued in 1993. All persons previously certified in this specialty were recertified in the same manner as comprehensively-certified CHPs. Since 1997, the roster of Active Certified Health Physicists has not indicated any dual or specialty certifications. To encourage participation in the certification program and recognize the attainment of Certification is a process of professional development, the Academy established an Associate Member category in 1991 to recognize those professionals who have successfully completed one part of the Certification Examination. In 2000 the Certification Examination Part II bank of questions was closed to the public. This was to allow for reuse of well-performing questions in further examinations.

The Power Reactor Health Physics specialty certification was discontinued in 1993. All persons previously certified in this specialty are recertified in the same manner as comprehensive-certified CHPs. After 1997, the roster of Active Certified Health Physicists will not indicate any dual or specialty certifications. In 1994, the corporate structures of the ABHP and the Academy were consolidated. To encourage participation in the certification program and recognize that the attainment of Certification is a process of professional development, the Academy established an Associate Member category in 1991 to recognize those professionals who have successfully completed one part of the Certification Examination. This category of membership recognizes a significant accomplishment in the professional development of health physicists.

A more detailed history of the American Board of Health Physics was written in 1994 by Frazier Bronson, CHP, for the journal Health Physics. With kind permission from the publisher, free access to download the article may be found here: https://journals.lww.com/health-physics/Abstract/1994/11000/American_Board_of_Health_Physics__The_First_35.1.aspx.