Certification Overview
Learn about initial certification, continuing certification,
and important dates and events.
Apply March 11 through June 30, 2026, to be eligible to take the certification exam. Eligible physicians may register for the 2026 certification exams beginning May 20, 2026.
Ready to apply now?
Application Process
The ABPM’s Board of Directors makes the official determination of eligibility at its sole and absolute discretion. No individual member of the Board is authorized to give an opinion on a physician’s eligibility, nor does the Board conduct preliminary credential reviews.
Review the specialty and subspecialty information and gather the required documentation.
Select one of the available pathways for the specialty/subspecialty for which you’d like to apply. If you’re not sure which pathway to choose, review the requirements table for that specialty or subspecialty.
Carefully read the pathway requirements.
Begin an application by clicking “apply now.” If you haven’t set up an account on ABPM’s Physician Portal, you will be prompted to do so before beginning your application.
After you submit your application and all required documentation, experienced physicians certified in the relevant ABPM specialty/subspecialty will review your application. The review typically takes four to six weeks. ABPM will notify you by email when the review is complete.
If your application is approved, ABPM will send instructions to register for the certification exam. Approved applicants will have a three-year window in which to take and pass the exam, beginning the year their application was approved.
Starting an Application
- Choose a specialty or subspecialty;
- Read the general eligibility requirements, choose a pathway, and carefully review the specific requirements for that pathway before clicking “Apply Now”.
- You will be directed to the Physician Portal login page; if you do not already have an account on the portal, you’ll be prompted to create one. After logging in, you will be able to begin the application.
- We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure prompt review of your application.
Pending Approval Status
Overview
Pending approval allows an application to be reviewed prior to the completion of all of the eligibility requirements. If granted pending approval status, the applicant will be able to register and sit for the exam. However, exam results will not be released until ABPM has received documentation that all pending requirements have been met.
Applicants seeking pending approval status prior to finishing their residency or fellowship training must complete such training within the same calendar year in which they submit their application.
Process
Program Directors will receive an online interim verification form by email for applicants who apply before their residency or fellowship program is complete. The Program Director will attest that the applicant is in good standing and on track to complete their program on the specified date.
The Program Director will receive a final verification form via email once the program has been completed.
A request for a pending approval and the Board’s consideration of a pending approval request does not guarantee full approval of the application.
Residency or Fellowship
While ABPM’s application closes on June 30, if you are a resident or fellow who will complete your program on or after June 30, you may submit an application and, if approved, may register for the certification exam before you have completed your residency or fellowship program. You must complete your residency or fellowship training within the same calendar year in which you submit your application.
- If you would like to request a pending approval, you may submit an application anytime between March 15 and June 30 of the year you plan to complete your residency or fellowship.
- If you apply before you complete your program, your program director will receive an interim verification form when you submit your application. On this form, your program director will attest that you are in good standing and on track to complete your program on the date you specified in your application. Your program completion date must be within the same calendar year in which you submit your application.
- Your program director will receive a final verification form to be completed on or after the date you complete your program.
- The Board reviews all requests for a pending approval. A request for a pending approval and the Board’s consideration of a pending approval request does not guarantee full approval of the application.
- If the pending approval is granted, you will be able to register for the certification exam. Exam results will be held by the Board until all pending requirements are met and all required documentation has been received.
Medical License
You may apply and/or register for the certification exam prior to receiving a full medical license if you request and receive a pending approval. This will allow the Board to review your application prior to receipt of your full medical license. If your application is approved, you will be able to register for the exam.
When completing your application, enter the information for your training or otherwise “restricted” license in the medical license section of the application as shown below. You will need to select “yes” to answer the question “Is your medical license restricted?” and provide an explanation.
While a pending approval, if granted, will allow you to register and sit for the certification exam, your exam results will not be released until all requirements are met and all required documentation has been received.
A request for pending approval and the Board’s certification of a pending approval request does not guarantee full approval of the application.
Primary Board Certification
Fellows who wish to apply for board certification through the ACGME-Accredited Fellowship Pathway in one of ABPM’s subspecialties may be eligible for a pending approval if they have not yet received their primary specialty certificate at the time they plan to apply.
This may be relevant for physicians who must pass two separate exams to receive their primary specialty certificate. If you are in the process of becoming certified in your primary specialty but would like to apply for subspecialty certification at the end of your fellowship, you may be required to submit documentation that demonstrates you are registered for an upcoming primary specialty certification exam.
To request a pending approval if you have not yet received your primary specialty certificate, you should enter the date you expect to receive your primary specialty certification in the board certification section of the application (shown below). ABPM will track the pending application status until the primary specialty certificate has been received. Please notify ABPM when you receive your primary specialty certificate.
Pending approval requests will be considered on an individual basis. If granted a pending approval, applicants will be able to register and sit for the exam. Exam results will not be released until ABPM receives confirmation of your primary board certification, all required documentation has been received, and all other remaining requirements have been met.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the pending approval process, please contact ABPM staff at [email protected].
Continuing Certification Program
Upon certification, all ABPM diplomates must participate in the ABPM’s Continuing Certification Program. For more information about the program and its requirements, click below!