Do you have a plan for family medicine board certification? Knowing the board certification timeline, including key dates, can help you stay on schedule, reduce stress and even save money.
Most family medicine residents take the one-day ABFM board exam in April of their third year. Get an overview of what you need to meet those key dates.
Key dates: October of each training year
Why it matters
The online ABFM In-Training Exam is 200 questions long. Your program will complete ITE registration for you. The ITE is an annual opportunity to measure how successfully you’re learning what you need to know to become a practicing family physician. Your results also indicate how likely you are to pass the board exam.
The ABFM shares your ITE results in your MyABFM Portfolio and with your program faculty six to eight weeks after you complete the exam. Results are scored and include notes and citations for further study.
Discuss your ITE results with your program director or faculty so you can work together to plan how to address any areas of weakness.
Key Dates: October and February of PGY-3
Why it matters
You should register for the one-day exam as soon as possible so that you can select your ideal testing location and date from Prometric. Registration typically opens in mid-October for the April one-day exam. If you delay registration, starting at the end of February, ABFM charges a $100 late fee.
The ABFM also publishes deadlines for cancelling your test date without having to pay a fee.
Key Dates: Be engaged in a continuous study plan, even from first year of residency. After your final ITE results come in, review your study plan again to address areas of focus for your remaining few months before the exam.
Why it matters
Use your ITE results to adjust areas where you may need additional study.
You’ll have a more balanced final year of residency if you take the time to schedule study blocks that align with your preferences. Choose a time of day and setting that helps you feel your most focused.
Developing a study plan early also gives you time to adjust course if you find you need to target more areas for study or have a schedule change you need to adapt to.
The right board review resources will get you right where you need to be in your studies. From free practice questions that test your progress to online or in-person focused review, the AAFP has resources to support your preparation.
Key Dates: February of PGY-3
Why it matters
Taking the exam isn’t the only step in claiming ABFM board certification. Before your exam, by late February, you must have earned 50 certification points by completing Self-Assessment and Performance Improvement activities.
You can earn these points starting in your first year of residency.
Many programs use the ABFM’s Residency Performance Improvement Program (ResPIP) to involve all residents in performance improvement activities as a group. Residents also have the option to do individual PI activities, either ABFM-directed or self-directed.
For PI activities, check first if your residency participates as a group through Res-PIP. If not, one of the ABFM-directed topics are likely to fit your patient practice profile.
Key Date: mid-June, after spring exam
Why it matters
For candidates who do not get a preliminary exam result, the wait for a final pass or fail result can be stressful. Remember that your training and studying prepared you for a positive outcome and that you can retake the exam if needed.
Focus instead on the exciting transition to practice. You’ve almost made it through training and board certification and can get ready for your first job by getting your credentials in order and filling in any gaps that will make you a more effective team leader, business partner, and physician.
Residents who take the board exam in 2025 or later will graduate into a continuous five-year renewal cycle. You’ll be automatically enrolled in a longitudinal assessment that replaces the one-day exam. The AAFP has board review resources keep you prepared.
