Unprofessional Examination Behavior

The following describes ABPM policies and procedures related to cheating in computer-based and non-computer-based examination settings. As part of the application process, Applicants, Diplomates, and others who are eligible to take the ABPM’s initial Certification examination shall attest that they have reviewed and will comply with these policies and procedures.

1. General Considerations

The ABPM expects that all Candidates/Diplomates will refrain from cheating, the appearance of cheating, or enabling another examinee to cheat. All initial Certification examinations will be openly and visibly proctored. The testing center facilities will be arranged in a manner that minimizes the opportunity for examinees to cheat.

2. Responsibility

Any Candidate/Diplomate observing cheating behavior must report such misconduct to the attention of the testing center proctor. Failure to comply with this subsection 3.5 may subject a Candidate/Diplomate to disciplinary action which may include, but not be limited to the Candidate not being Certified or the suspension or revocation of a Diplomate’s Certification by the ABPM.

3. Monitoring

The testing centers will proctor the examinations through video and/or direct surveillance and may capture testing events via audio and video recording. Video and audio tapes of examination sessions will be retained at the testing centers for at least thirty (30) days. At least one proctor shall maintain direct line-of-sight monitoring at all times during the administration of the initial Certification examinations.

4. Counseling and Conditions of Termination

If the testing center proctor observes or becomes aware of Candidate/Diplomate behavior that in any way suggests inappropriate activity or cheating, the proctor shall counsel the Candidate/Diplomate and may separate the Candidate/Diplomate into a separate testing area. The proctor may allow the Candidate/Diplomate to complete the examination but will generate a detailed irregularity report immediately upon awareness of the irregularity. As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the examination administration, the testing center will make available to the Board the irregularity report as well as any video and/or audio tapes of the activity in question for the Board’s review and possible disciplinary action against one or more Candidates/Diplomates.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection 3.5, the Board, testing center proctor and the ABPM reserve the right to dismiss one or more Candidates/Diplomates from the testing center on suspicion of inappropriate activity or cheating prior to the conclusion of the examination administration. The Board also reserves the right subsequently to invalidate the examination results of any Candidate/Diplomate judged by the Board to have engaged in, assisted, or otherwise been involved in inappropriate activity or cheating.

5. Actions

Upon judgment by the Board of irregular activity or cheating behavior, a Candidate/Diplomate may be disqualified. Any Candidate/Diplomate disqualified pursuant to this subsection 3.5 will be so notified in writing by the Chief Executive Officer (which may include notification via email) and that disqualified Candidate/Diplomate’s score shall be dropped from aggregate scoring for that examination administration. Readmission for examination of a disqualified Candidate/Diplomate will be considered after a period of three (3) Examination Cycles, contingent upon Board’s review and approval of the disqualified Candidate/Diplomate’s credentials using the then-current criteria for admission to the examination in the Specialty or Subspecialty for which Certification is being sought by the disqualified Candidate/Diplomate.

6. Appeal

A Candidate/Diplomate shall have thirty (30) days to appeal after being advised in writing by the Chief Executive Officer that they have been disqualified pursuant to this subsection 3.5. The appeal should be accompanied by detailed information addressing all matters the Candidate/Diplomate believes refute the determination of the Board. Additionally, the appeal must be in writing, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Board at its office in Chicago, Illinois, and must be sent by Certified Mail, Overnight Mail or email (with delivery receipt). Appeals materials timely received by the Chief Executive Officer will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary and the responsible Vice Chair or Sub-Board Chair for the Specialty or Subspecialty examination from which the Candidate/Diplomate has been disqualified. The Candidate/Diplomate will be notified of the results of the appeal in writing (which may include email) as soon as practicable after a decision has been made by a majority vote of the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Vice Chair or Sub-Board Chair for the Specialty/Subspecialty examination from which the Candidate/Diplomate has been disqualified. The decision on appeal will be final and binding on the Candidate/Diplomate and the Board and not subject to further review.