Examination Dates

All examinations are computer based and are administered at the ABP Examination Center in Tampa, Florida.

• Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology Examinations
• Subspecialty Examinations
• Recertification Examination
• Final Filing and Cutoff Dates

Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology Examinations

The Spring 2010 primary examinations will begin on Monday, May 17, 2010, and will continue until all qualified, registered candidates have been examined. Individuals applying for the Spring primary certification examinations must complete their training by July 1 of the year of application.

The Fall 2010 primary examinations will begin on Monday, October 11, 2010, and will continue until all qualified, registered candidates have been examined. Individuals applying for the Fall primary certification examinations must complete their training by November 1 of the year of application.

The Spring 2011 primary examinations will begin on Monday, May 16, 2011, and will continue until all qualified, registered candidates have been examined. Individuals applying for the Spring primary certification examinations must complete their training by July 1 of the year of application.

The Fall 2011 primary examinations will begin on Monday, October 10, 2011, and will continue until all qualified, registered candidates have been examined. Individuals applying for the Fall primary certification examinations must complete their training by November 1 of the year of application.

Subspecialty Examinations

The subspecialty examinations in chemical pathology, medical microbiology, molecular genetic pathology, neuropathology, and pediatric pathology are given every two years. Individuals applying for subspecialty examinations must complete their training by October 1 of the year of application.

Depending on the number of candidates, it may be necessary to give certain subspecialty examinations on multiple days. In that case, each candidate will be notified of his or her examination date at least 6 weeks prior to the examination date listed.

Recertification Examination

The examination dates and final filing dates for receipt of applications or registrations are as follows:

Final Filing and Cutoff Dates

The final filing dates for receipt of applications or registrations are as follows:

If the candidate cancels an appearance for the examination after these dates or does not appear for the examination, the entire application-examination fee is forfeited, with the following exceptions:

1. Personal illness at the time of the examination, validated by the candidate’s personal physician. In this case, consideration will be given to transferring a major portion of the examination fee to the following examination.
   
2. Inability to accept the date assignment (primary certification applicants only). Once examination date assignments are mailed, candidates for the primary certification examination have four weeks from notification of their assignment to accept. These candidates may request a transfer to a future examination, in which case the examination fee, minus a $500 transfer fee, will be applied to that examination. There is no opportunity to change the assignment within a given examination period. If the ABP is not notified within the 4-week period, the assignment will stand.

A candidate for the Spring primary examinations who wishes to apply for a subspecialty examination in the same year may submit the subspecialty application prior to the May 1 deadline. If the candidate is successful in the primary examination, the ABP will process the application for the subspecialty examination. If the candidate is not successful, he/she will be notified and the subspecialty examination fee may be applied to a future examination or refunded.