One-Day Exam

To obtain initial certification, you must pass the Family Medicine Certification Examination (one-day exam), which is administered in April and November each year.

Key Information to Know:

• You may begin the application process before completing initial certification requirements, but all requirements must be met before your application is approved. Once approved, you may schedule a testing appointment.
• Your expected residency completion date determines your exam eligibility. You can find information on eligibility on the Dates and Deadlines page.
• The exam is administered by Prometric in a secure, computer-based, and standardized format.
• The exam day schedule consists of four 95-minute sections (75 questions each) and 100 minutes of pooled break time available between sections.
• All questions are single best answer, multiple-choice format.
• The exam blueprint outlines the targeted percentage of questions dedicated to each content category and can be used to guide your study plan.
• To help you prepare, ABFM offers several one-day exam resources.
• If you do not pass the exam, you may re-attempt provided that eligibility and application requirements are met.