Relating Information

Schedule a Maintenance of Certification Exam

Schedule a Maintenance of Certification Exam

Schedule an exam:

Below applies to all ABIM Maintenance of Certification exams except Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine. Remember that you can schedule an exam only during the registration period.

Schedule online:

  • Online scheduling with Pearson VUE is a two-step process comprised of creating a web account and scheduling your exam appointment and test center location.
  • When you create a Pearson VUE web account, your contact information must match the contact information you have on your ABIM home page.
  • Go to www.pearsonvue.com/abim, select “Schedule A Test” in the right column, and follow the instructions.

Schedule by telephone:

  • Call Pearson VUE at 1-800-601-3549, Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm Central Time.
  • Seat assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. (Pearson VUE Test Centers are small and have limited seating.)
  • Provide the Pearson VUE representative with your ABIM candidate number and confirm which Maintenance of Certification exam you will be taking.
  • Ask for an "order number" from the Pearson VUE representative.

After scheduling please note:

  • You will get 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 scheduling your exam. (If you do not receive a confirmation within one week, check your spam or blocking filter.)
  • You should complete the Maintenance of Certification exam tutorial to prepare before your exam date.

When can I take my exam?

Beginning in the sixth year of your certificate you can schedule an appointment to take the exam. You have to be enrolled in Maintenance of Certification in order to register for the exam. See registration periods below. Exams are offered twice a year, in spring and fall, and are administered at Pearson VUE Test Centers.

Registration Periods:

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

It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with ABIM 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.

Your name in ABIM's records

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 online 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).
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Schedule an Adolescent Medicine Maintenance of Certification Exam

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

Important Note: Each board establishes its own registration dates and fees for the exam. Candidates certified by ABIM must be aware of the different exam registration dates and deadlines set by ABIM and adhere to them. It is the responsibility of the candidates to be aware of these issues.

Schedule an exam:

  • Register for the exam online during the above listed registration period.
  • Once registered, a confirmation page will appear indicating successful registration. This page provides a confirmation number, which is proof the application has been transmitted to ABIM. 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 online 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.

Registration Periods:

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

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

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Schedule 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.

Important Note: Each board establishes its own registration dates and fees for the exam. Candidates certified by ABIM must be aware of the different exam registration dates and deadlines set by ABIM and adhere to them. It is the responsibility of the candidates to be aware of these issues.

Schedule an exam:

  • Register for the exam online during the above listed registration period.
  • Once registered, a confirmation page will appear indicating successful registration. This page provides a confirmation number, which is proof the application has been transmitted to ABIM. 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 online 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.

Registration Periods:

November 1 – February 1

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

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Fees for Maintenance of Certification

Total Fee to Enroll in Maintenance of Certification

  • $1,495 (includes one exam administration)
  • $700 for each additional exam
  • International Test Center Fee - $500

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 $145 processing fee.
  • If you withdraw from the Maintenance of Certification program before completing any Self-Evaluation Modules, you will receive a partial refund; the $145 processing fee will be retained.
  • Once you have completed a Self Evaluation Process module or an examination, refunds are no longer available.

Cancellation of Maintenance 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 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 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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Change or Cancel a Maintenance of Certification Exam

  • 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. 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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