ABIM Internal Medicine Boards Certification Examination

American Board of Internal Medicine – ABIM, certification examination is usually given in the third week of August, each year. The certification exam is given to Physicians who have graduated from Internal Medicine Residency programs. The Internal Medicine recertification exam is given to Internists already in clinical practice, who have been board certified in the past. This web page will review some important information on registering for the ABIM exam, Internal medicine board review courses, study materials and tips on taking the ABIM board exam.  

ABIM exam is a two-day, high stress ordeal. Each day, the exam consists of two sessions of 3 hours each. In total there are 4 sessions (over two days), with 90 multiple choice questions in each session. You will have about 2 minutes to answer each question. Out of the total 360 ABIM questions, roughly 330 questions are counted towards the determination of your Internal Medicine boards score (30 questions are “experimental” and not scored). You can apply for the ABIM exam online (with credit card payment – fast and easy) or by mailing a completed application form. Once your ABIM exam application is accepted, you will receive a post card confirming this fact. Apply for ABIM Internal Medicine exam online.   

Change of ABIM exam center and mailing address. 

When you apply for the ABIM Internal medicine board exam, you probably do not know where you will be working in August 2004. You can ask for a change in your ABIM exam center, in writing before June 1, 2004. Your current address may change once you finish your Medical residency at the end of June. You can change your address online at ABIM’s website. This will ensure that your admission permit and ABIM exam results are mailed to the correct address. Though ABIM gives Nov 15, as the mailing date for the board exam results, most Residents and Physicians who took the 2003 ABIM exam received their results in mid- October.  

Permanent medical licensure required for ABIM exam? 

The ABIM instruction booklet says “Valid, unrestricted medical license required” to sit for the boards. However, some residents have, in the past, applied and taken the ABIM exam without a permanent medical license. However, ABIM looks for your residency program director’s letter saying that you have successfully completed your Internal Medicine residency. In other words, ABIM makes sure that you are eligible to get a Permanent medical licensure and eligible to sit for the board exam. It is in your best interest to obtain a permanent medical license at the earliest. 

USMLE Step 3 - is it required for ABIM exam? 

Yes, you should have completed the USMLE Step 3 exam. So plan to take the Step 3 exam early in your second year of medical residency (PGY 2). If you get a high score, this will also help you in your Fellowship search. USMLE Step 3 & CCS exam tips.