If you have questions concerning the application process, the examinations, verification of certification, or other activities of the American Board of Pathology, please review the documents found on the ABP Web site (www.abpath.org), including Booklet of Information and Instructions for Candidates. If you do not find the answers to your questions in these locations, check Frequently Asked Questions below. If you still need additional information, e-mail your questions to questions@abpath.org. Please indicate the general nature of your question (i.e., primary examination, subspecialty examination, license question) in the subject line so that we can direct your question to the appropriate department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information regarding examination dates, deadlines for filing, fees, requirements for certification, and other general information?

The ABP Web site contains all of this information. The Booklet of Information describes the policies, procedures, and requirements for certification. Instructions for Candidates contains useful information for applicants for primary certification. The Voluntary Recertification Booklet of Information contains information regarding voluntary recertification.

How does the ABP communicate with applicants?

All communication between the ABP and applicants for certification regarding their applications will now occur through PATHway. This includes notice of approval of the application, assignment of a period of qualification, and admission materials. Applicants will also be able to track the progress of their applications on this site.

Please check your PATHway Board Correspondence page frequently. You may also receive emails during the application process.

How can I request an application?

The primary and subspecialty applications and registration forms are available through PATHway.

The following applications are NOT available online, and must be downloaded, completed using Microsoft Word, and mailed to the ABP (see 'Applications and Forms' on the ABP Web site):

When can I submit the application?

You may submit an application for the next available examination before the application deadline. However, if possible, please do not wait until the deadline to submit the application.

You may complete an application at any time before the final filing date. However, if you do not plan to sit for the next examination, do not complete the current application or registration form. Applications and registration forms are not transferable to the next examination. A $500 fee is assessed for requesting a transfer to a future examination. Example: In December, you begin to fill in the primary application for the Spring examination, but decide to wait until Fall to sit for the exam. Do not finalize the application. After the Spring submission deadline has passed (January 15), the Fall application/registration will be available. Fill in and finalize the primary application for the Fall examination.

What is required regarding medical licensure?

Each applicant must submit a copy of his/her currently valid, full and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine or osteopathy in the United States or in Canada. It is not necessary to have the copy notarized. A copy must be uploaded to the application in PDF format. Applicants for primary certification who are in the process of obtaining a medical license may submit their applications for certification, but they must provide evidence of having passed USMLE Step 3, and a copy of the application for licensure must be uploaded when you register for an examination. If the information is not submitted, the application can not be finalized. Your PATHway Board Correspondence page indicates where your application is in the process.

If a copy of the currently valid, full and unrestricted license is not received in the ABP office by the time the examination results are released, the results will not be released to the applicant, or to anyone, until such is received.

Applicants for subspecialty certification must submit a copy of their currently valid, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or osteopathy in the United States or in Canada. Evidence of passing USMLE Step 3 and applying for licensure is not acceptable for subspecialty certification.

My medical license is currently valid but will expire before I receive my examination results. What do I need to do?

Before examination results are released, you must submit a copy of your renewed license showing the expiration date.

When will the examination dates be assigned?

For primary examinations, exact examination date assignments will be posted to your PATHway Board Correspondence page in March to those registered for Spring examinations and in September for those registered for Fall examinations, pending notification of board qualification. The date will not change once assigned.

Some subspecialty examinations may be given on multiple days due to the number of candidates. Candidates for multiple-day examinations will be notified of this as soon as possible, and exact dates will be posted to your PATHway Board Correspondence page no later than six weeks prior to the examination.

Can I request a date for my examination?

Requests for specific examination dates are not accepted for primary certification. The dates are assigned by the computer system.

For subspecialty examinations on multiple days, requests may be made for a specific day, but it may not be possible to honor all requests.

What can I do if my examination date is not acceptable?

For primary certification, if the date is not acceptable, applicants for primary certification have two weeks from the date of the notification to cancel and transfer the application and fee to the next examination session for which the applicant qualifies. Requests for transfer of examination dates are assessed a $500 fee. Transfers cannot be made within the same sessions, and dates cannot be exchanged with other candidates.

For subspecialty certification, there is no opportunity to cancel the date after the filing deadline without forfeiture of the fee, unless there is verified illness at the time of the examination.

When will my application be processed?

Applications are processed in order of date received until date assignments have been made. Once the examination date is assigned, the applications are processed in order of date assigned. Applicants will be able to track the progress of their applications through their PATHway Board Correspondence page.

How should I notify the ABP of a change in my address?

You may change your email address, mail address, and phone number through PATHway on your Profile page.

How should I notify the ABP of a change in my name?

Changes in name must be made in writing with the applicant’s signature and must be accompanied by legal verification (marriage license, court order, etc.). A form for submitting name changes is available on the ABP Web site and can be downloaded, printed, and either faxed or mailed to the ABP.

When will the results of the examination be available?

Results will be posted to your PATHway Board Correspondence page 4 to 6 weeks after the last examination date.

If I currently hold a non-time-limited primary certificate and I choose to voluntarily recertify, what happens to my primary certificate when voluntary recertification lapses in ten years?

Nothing. Your primary certificate will still be in effect.

How are the examinations graded?

The examinations are graded using a criterion-based method. That means there will be a set passing score, which will be a 3-digit scale score that must be met in order to pass the examination.

Even though the ABP no longer gives credit for post-sophomore fellowships, can autopsies done during such a fellowship count toward the certification requirement of 50 autopsies?

No. Since no credit is awarded for post-sophomore fellowships, activities performed during this time (including autopsies) cannot be used to satisfy numerical training requirements.

Where can I find information about pathology as a career?

"Pathology as a Career in Medicine" is available on the American Society for Investigative Pathology Web site. Please click the link: http://www.asip.org/career/index.htm

I am an AP/CP resident. I will have completed the AP requirements by July 1. Can I take the AP examination in June and then take the CP exam after my CP requirements are finished?

No. If you are an AP/CP candidate, you cannot sit for any portion of the examinations until your training in both AP and CP is completed.
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 This page was last modified on March 31, 2010.