Postponed Certification

This consists of the following requirements, and must be completed within three years of beginning the process.  It includes certification activity and CME requirements, continuous compliance with ABFM’s Guidelines for Professionalism, Licensure and Personal Conduct (Guidelines), submitting an exam application with all applicable fees, and passing the one-day exam.

1. Certification Activities Requirement: Earn a total of 50 certification points by completing ABFM self-assessment and performance improvement activities.
   • Earn 10 points by completing a minimum of one (1) self-assessment activity.
   • Earn 20 points by completing a minimum of one (1) performance improvement activity.
   • Earn 20 points by completing additional self-assessment or performance improvement activities, or a variety of approved self-assessment alternatives to reach your 50-point total.
2. Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirement: Earn 150 CME credits in the three years prior to your Family Medicine Certification Examination (one-day exam).
3. Professionalism Requirement: Continuously comply with ABFM’s Guidelines for Professionalism, Licensure and Personal Conduct (Guidelines) and maintain a valid, active, and full license to practice medicine.
4. Certification Fees: Submit all fees associated with the Certification Entry Process.
5. Certification Exam Requirement: Submit an exam application with all applicable fees and completed requirements and pass the one-day exam to obtain initial certification.

You have three years to earn initial certification after you initiate the Certification Entry Process. If you do not earn certification within three years, you may restart the process. Please note, activities cannot be carried forward and will be reset.

Board Eligibility

The seven-year board eligibility period begins the day after the successful completion of an ACGME-accredited family medicine residency training program. Your board eligibility period expires exactly seven years from the start date unless you achieve initial certification before that time.

To obtain and maintain board eligible status, you must be engaged in an initial certification process and continuously adhere to the ABFM Guidelines for Professionalism, Licensure, and Personal Conduct. You can begin the process to obtain your initial certification by logging into your MyABFM Portfolio.

Board Eligibility Period Expired

If your seven-year period of board eligibility has expired, you must complete one year of additional training in an ACGME-accredited family medicine residency training program (or an ABFM-approved alternative) to gain an additional board eligibility period and to qualify for board certification. Outside of this seven-year window, it is not permissible for you to refer to yourself as board eligible.

Please contact boardeligibility@theabfm.org if you have additional questions regarding your eligibility status.