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2018 Examination Schedule Information

Updated April 2018

Written Examination

The American Board of Physician Specialties uses computer-based testing administration for all written exams. Our exams are offered at a network of testing centers throughout the U.S. and Canada and are given during three-week-long testing windows (the 1st through the 21st) in May and/or October of each year, depending upon the specialty.

Registered candidates select the time, date, and testing location that is most convenient for their schedule, which may include evening or weekend hours at select centers.

Registration paperwork is mailed to approved candidates in February for the May exams and in July for the October exams.

Certification and Recertification Application and Examination Schedule:

Specialty:  Final Due Date for Completion of Application File: For CBT Exam In:
Anesthesiology
Diagnostic Radiology
Emergency Medicine (Recertification Only)
Family Medicine Obstetrics
Internal Medicine
Integrative Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery		 December 1, 2017** May 2018
Administrative Medicine Dermatology
Disaster Medicine
Emergency Medicine (Certification and Recertification)
Family Medicine
Hospital Medicine
Urgent Care		 May 1, 2018** October 2018

Please Note:
All applications must be complete before they can be reviewed by the Board. An application is deemed complete when all forms and applicable supporting documentation have been received.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be held until the next board review session, meaning you will not be eligible to sit for your exam until the next test administration window.

**These are final application deadlines. For special pricing based on earlier application deadlines for the May 2018 and October 2018 specialty examinations, go to ‘Board Certifications’, then the applicable specialty’s homepage and click on the ‘Exam Process, Dates, and Fees’ page link located in the side menu.  Recertification applicants will find the special 2018 pricing by clicking on the ‘Recertification Fee Schedule’ link on the applicable specialty’s homepage.

Oral Certification Examination

Candidates for initial certification must first successfully complete the written examination before they are permitted to take the oral/simulation examination. Oral examinations are not required for every specialty. Oral examinations for applicable specialties are offered once a year in Tampa, FL. Registration will be mailed to approved candidates approximately three months prior to the exam date.

Projected Oral Examination Dates:

Specialty: Dates:
Anesthesiology
Diagnostic Radiology
Family Medicine Obstetrics
Orthopedic Surgery
Surgery		  October 27, 2018*
Emergency Medicine  April 14, 2018

Please Note:
The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) provides alternate testing dates for candidates whose religious practices pose a conflict in taking an examination on the published date. Click here to see the complete policy for accommodations.

* The Fall 2018 Oral exams have been rescheduled from Nov 3 to Oct 27.

For current Initial Certification Written and Oral Exam fees, go to Boards of Certification, then the applicable specialty Board and click on the link to Exam Process, Dates and Fees. 

For Recertification application deadlines and fees, click on Recertification Fees

IMPORTANT! Candidates for Written and Oral examinations are responsible for arranging and direct remittance of all related travel and hotel accommodations and expenses. ABPS will not be held responsible for expenses incurred beyond the cost of the exam, including but not limited to travel expenses and lost wages.

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Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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