Relating Information

Scheduling Your Maintenance of Certification Exam

This section provides you with an overview of how to schedule your exam, exam fees, and how to change or cancel your exam.

Scheduling a Maintenance of Certification Exam

When can I take my exam?

If you are enrolled in Maintenance of Certification, you can schedule an appointment to take the exam during the registration periods beginning in the sixth year of your certificate. Exams are offered twice a year, in spring and fall, and are administered at Pearson VUE Test Centers.

When can I register?

(For exam dates see Specific Information About Each Exam, by Specialty.)

How do I schedule my exam?

The following information applies to all ABIM Maintenance of Certification exams other than Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine:

  • Schedule your exam appointment and test center location as soon as possible during the registration period by calling Pearson VUE at 1-800-601-3549.
  • Seat assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. (Pearson VUE Test Centers are small and have limited seating.)
  • When speaking with the Pearson VUE representative, provide your ABIM candidate number and confirm which Maintenance of Certification exam you will be taking.
  • Be sure to get an "order number" from the Pearson VUE representative.
  • Watch for a confirmation e-mail or fax message from Pearson VUE with scheduling details for your exam. Contact Pearson VUE if you do not receive this confirmation within a day of your original call. (If you do not receive a confirmation within one week, check your spam or blocking filter.)
  • Make sure to complete the Maintenance of Certification exam tutorial before your exam date.
  • YOUR NAME MUST MATCH ABIM’S RECORDS BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM. ABIM uses your full, official name in its records. To change your name, or to correct the spelling of your name, you must notify ABIM in writing. ABIM also requires your current contact information, both your mailing and e-mail addresses, as well as your telephone number. Update your contact information on your home page in the Physician Login section or send your changes to:
    American Board of Internal Medicine
    510 Walnut Street, Suite 1700
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3699
    fax 215-446-3590 (use this fax number for name changes only)
    e-mail request@abim.org (if you can provide documentation in digital form; e.g. pdf).
  • It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, ABIM adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration and late registration for its examinations. Candidates are strongly urged to apply early in the registration period.
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Scheduling an Adolescent Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam

The Adolescent Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam is developed jointly with the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. The exam is administered by the American Board of Pediatrics.

When can I register?

  • Registration Period for Spring Adolescent Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam:
    November 1 – January 15
  • Registration Period for Fall Adolescent Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam:
    June 1 – August 15

(For exam dates see Specific Information About Each Exam, by Specialty.)

How do I schedule my exam?

  • Register for the exam online in the Physician Login page during the registration period.
  • A confirmation page will appear, indicating that you are successfully registered. The confirmation page also will provide you with a confirmation number, which is proof that your application has been transmitted to ABIM. You should print and keep a copy of this page for your records.
  • After you have successfully registered, ABIM will forward your information to the American Board of Pediatrics. The American Board of Pediatrics will confirm with ABIM that your information has been forwarded to Thompson Prometric, which administers this exam on computer at its 400 test centers throughout the U.S.
  • When ABIM receives confirmation that your information is forwarded to Thompson Prometric, you will receive a letter from ABIM that explains how to schedule a testing center and date.
  • YOUR NAME MUST MATCH ABIM’S RECORDS BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM. ABIM uses your full, official name in its records. To change your name, or to correct the spelling of your name, you must notify ABIM in writing. ABIM also requires your current contact information, both your mailing and e-mail addresses, as well as your telephone number. Update your contact information on your home page in the Physician Login section or send your changes to:
    American Board of Internal Medicine
    510 Walnut Street, Suite 1700
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3699
    fax 215-446-3590 (use this fax number for name changes only)
    e-mail request@abim.org (if you can provide documentation in digital form; e.g. pdf).
  • It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, ABIM adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration and late registration for its examinations. Candidates are strongly urged to apply early in the registration period.
  • Contact the American Board of Pediatrics for information about changing test center locations or exam dates.
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Scheduling a Sports Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam

The Sports Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam is developed jointly with the American Board of Emergency Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, and American Board of Pediatrics. Follow these procedures when registering to take the exam:

When can I register?

(For exam dates see Specific Information About Each Exam, by Specialty.)

How do I schedule my exam?

  • Register for the exam online in the Physician Login page during the registration period.
  • A confirmation page will appear, indicating that you are successfully registered. The confirmation page also will provide you with a confirmation number, which is proof that your application has been transmitted to ABIM. You should print and keep a copy of this page for your records.
  • Shortly after your application has been submitted, ABIM will forward your information to the American Board of Family Medicine. The American Board of Family Medicine will communicate with you explaining how to schedule a testing location and exam at a Thompson Prometric Test Center. Thompson Prometric administers the Sports Medicine Exam for the American Board of Family Medicine
  • YOUR NAME MUST MATCH ABIM’S RECORDS BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM. ABIM uses your full, official name in its records. To change your name, or to correct the spelling of your name, you must notify ABIM in writing. ABIM also requires your current contact information, both your mailing and e-mail addresses, as well as your telephone number. Update your contact information on your home page in the Physician Login section or send your changes to:
    American Board of Internal Medicine
    510 Walnut Street, Suite 1700
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3699
    fax 215-446-3590 (use this fax number for name changes only)
    e-mail request@abim.org (if you can provide documentation in digital form; e.g. pdf).
  • It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, ABIM adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration and late registration for its examinations. Candidates are strongly urged to apply early in the registration period.
  • Contact the American Board of Family Medicine for information about test center locations and changing exam dates.
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Maintenance of Certification Fees

Total Fee to Enroll in Maintenance of Certification

  • $1,300 (includes one exam administration)
  • $700 for each additional exam

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Cancellation of Maintenance of Certification Program

  • If your application for enrollment in the Maintainance of Certification program is not approved, you will receive a refund less the $110 processing fee.
  • If you withdraw from the Maintenance of Certification program before completing any Self-Evaluation Modules, you will receive a partial refund; the $110 processing fee will be retained.
  • Once you have completed a Self Evaluation Process module or an examination, refunds are no longer available.

Cancellation of Maintainance of Certification Exam Registration

  • You may cancel your registration for an exam through your Physician Login page on the ABIM website. An immediate confirmation is issued for online cancellations. ABIM will not accept telephone cancellations.
  • When cancellation is received on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the cancellation deadline, the exam fee will be credited to a future exam.
  • The exam fee is forfeited if cancellation is received after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the cancellation deadline or if an admitted candidate fails to appear for the exam.
  • ABIM will send you a letter regarding your examination fee status.
  • Admission eligibility is immediately withdrawn once a cancellation is confirmed. You will receive a letter stating that you can no longer take the exam.
  • There are no "extenuating circumstances" that will result in an exception to these policies.
  • IMPORTANT: Cancellations cannot be processed by Pearson Vue.
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Changing or Canceling Maintenance of Certification Exams

  • Change - If you need to change your test center location, contact Pearson VUE directly at 1-800-601-3549. (Note: See separate information for the Adolescent Medicine Exam and Sports Medicine Exam).
  • Emergency Reschedule - (Internal Medicine ONLY) If you miss your appointment for your Internal Medicine Exam, you may be able to reschedule for another day during the same administration period. However, exams cannot be rescheduled less than 24 hours before the last date that the exam is being offered and there is a $500 non-refundable exam rescheduling fee. Also, test center seats are limited and you may have to accept an appointment at a different test center, which may require travel. To reschedule an exam, call ABIM at 1-800-441-2246, x3598. (Pearson VUE cannot process emergency rescheduling appointments.)
  • Cancel - If you need to cancel your application for admission to an exam, you must contact ABIM online via the Physician Login page. You will receive an immediate notification of your cancellation. NOTE: ABIM cannot accept telephone cancellations. Pearson VUE does not process cancellations. Important: See Refund and Cancellation Policy.
  • Responsibility for Deadline Compliance - It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, the Board adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration and late registration for its examinations. Candidates are encouraged to apply early in the registration period. Scheduling Your Maintenance of Certification Exam provides an overview of how to schedule exams, exam fees, and how to change or cancel exams.

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