Become Certified
Dates and Deadlines
Important dates and deadlines related to your certification process will be featured on this page and regularly updated as new information becomes available to ABFM.
Spring 2026 One-Day Exam Important Dates
| Deadline Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins (Online Application Available) | October 17, 2025 |
| First Deadline to Submit Online Application (No Late Fee Assessed) | January 20, 2026 |
| Priority Seating Ends (For Best Seating Options, Select a Testing Center by This Date) | February 9, 2026 |
| Final Deadline to Submit Online Application (Requires a $100 Non-Refundable Late Fee) | February 26, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Special Testing Accommodations Documentation | February 26, 2026 |
| Last Day to Complete All Certification Activity Requirements for Examination | February 26, 2026 |
| Deadline to Clear Pending Requirements | March 9, 2026 |
| Deadline to Make Official Name Change with ABFM for Examination | March 9, 2026 |
| Deadline to Select Testing Date/Location | March 16, 2026 |
| All Family Medicine Residency Training Must be Completed | June 30, 2026 |
| Deadline to Withdraw from Examination without Cancellation Fee | 30 days prior to scheduled exam |
| Deadline to Withdraw from Examination without Seat Fee | 5 days prior to scheduled exam |
| Deadline to Change Testing Date/Location | 48 hours prior to scheduled exam |
| Spring Examination Dates | April 6-25, 2026 (excluding Sundays) |
| Examination Results (Tentative) | May 29, 2026 |
- If you expect to complete your residency training by June 30, you will be notified when the application for the April exam is available in your MyABFM Portfolio.
- If you expect to complete your training between July 1 and October 31, you may be eligible to apply for the April examination based on a recommendation from your residency program director. This will need to be submitted through the Resident Training Management (RTM) system.
Fall 2026 One-Day Exam Important Dates
| Deadline Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins (Online Application Available) | July 10, 2026 |
| First Deadline to Submit Online Application (No Late Fee Assessed) | August 17, 2026 |
| Priority Seating Ends (For Best Seating Options, Select a Testing Center by This Date) | September 7, 2026 |
| Final Deadline to Submit Online Application (Requires a $100 Non-Refundable Late Fee) | September 21, 2026 |
| Deadline to Submit Special Testing Accommodations Documentation | September 21, 2026 |
| Last Day to Complete All Certification Activity Requirements for Examination | September 21, 2026 |
| Deadline to Clear Pending Requirements | October 12, 2026 |
| Deadline to Make Official Name Change with ABFM for Examination | October 12, 2026 |
| Deadline to Select Testing Date/Location | October 22, 2026 |
| All Family Medicine Residency Training Must be Completed | December 31, 2026 |
| Deadline to Withdraw from Examination without Cancellation Fee | 30 days prior to scheduled exam |
| Deadline to Withdraw from Examination without Seat Fee | 5 days prior to scheduled exam |
| Deadline to Change Testing Date/Location | 48 hours prior to scheduled exam |
| Spring Examination Dates | November 9-18, 2026 (excluding Sundays) |
| Examination Results (Tentative) | December 18, 2026 |
- If you expect to complete your residency training between November 1 and December 31, you will be notified when the application for the November exam is available in your MyABFM Portfolio.
- If you expect to complete your training between January 1 and April 30, you may be eligible to apply for the November examination based on a recommendation from your residency program director. This will need to be submitted through the Resident Training Management (RTM) system.