Oral Certification Exam

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in ABEM adapting to the ever-changing environment. The most recent development is the aggressive exploration of transitioning the current Oral Exam format to a virtual Oral Exam. The virtual Oral Exam will be piloted and fully implemented in 2021; information from the pilot experience will inform further development of the Oral Exam, post-COVID. (August 5, 2020)

ABEM will provide additional details as they become finalized. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ABEM has made the difficult decision to postpone the fall Oral Certification Examination. The Oral Certification Examination will not be offered at all in 2020. The Board is discussing options for administering the examination in 2021 and will share that information as soon as possible. ABEM has developed a letter that physicians may provide to employers to verify they have successfully completed the Qualifying Examination and states that they are awaiting assignment to take the Oral Certification Examination. The letter explains that ABEM has canceled the 2020 exams due to COVID-19 and deferred the Oral Exam to 2021. Letters will be available in mid-July. Physicians can contact oralcertification@abem.org to request a letter. (July 2, 2020)

Archived Statements