Certificate of Added Qualification
Pain Medicine Important Dates
Deadlines listed below are consistent with the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), the administrator of the Pain Medicine exam. To avoid a late registration fee, begin your application and submit associated fees prior to the "First Deadline to Submit Online Application.”
2026 Pain Medicine Initial and Continuing Certification Exam
| Deadline Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | October 17, 2025 |
| First Deadline to Submit Online Application (No late fee assessed if application is advanced beyond payment page by this date) | February 2, 2026 |
| ABFM Begins Sending Test Center Registration Communications | May 4, 2026 |
| Final Deadline to Submit Online Application (Includes $100 late fee) | April 13, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Special Testing Accommodations Documentation | April 13, 2026 |
| Deadline to Clear Pending Requirements | April 20, 2026 |
| Deadline to Make Official Name Change with ABFM for Exam | April 20, 2026 |
| Deadline to Select Testing Date/Location (via Pearson VUE) | August 10, 2026 |
| Deadline to Withdraw from Exam without Seat Fee | 5 Days Prior to Scheduled Exam |
| Certification Exam Date | September 26, 2026 |
| Continuing Certification Exam Dates | TBD |
| Deadline to Complete Pain Medicine Fellowship Training (Only applicable to physicians applying to take the certification exam) | December 31, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Fellowship Completion Documentation | February 28, 2027 |
2026 Longitudinal Assessment - Pain Medicine (LA-PM)
| Deadline Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | October 17, 2025 |
| First Deadline to Submit Online Application (No Late Fee Assessed) | November 17, 2025 |
| Final Deadline to Submit Online Application (Includes $100 Late Fee) | December 1, 2025 |
| Deadline to Submit Special Testing Accomodations Documentation | December 1, 2025 |
| Deadline to Clear Pending Requirements | December 8, 2025 |
| ABFM Begins Sending Platform Registration Communications | June 1, 1-2 Weeks After Application Completion |
| Participation Begins | Late-January 2026 |
Get Started
Log in to your MyABFM Portfolio to view Pain Medicine CAQ eligibility and application availability.