Certification 2025 – The New Continuous Certification 5-Year Cycle

ABFM will begin the transition to Certification 2025, the new Continuous Certification 5-Year Cycle on January 1, 2025.

Using longitudinal assessment as a foundation, this change will help Diplomates maintain awareness of increasingly rapid medical advancements and changes in practice guidelines. Evidence supports the idea that longitudinal assessment has the potential not only to serve as an evaluation mechanism, but to promote learning and retention, maintain existing levels of knowledge, and increase awareness of new standards of care.

Every ABFM Diplomate will transition to the new 5-Year Cycle when their next exam requirement is due. We will honor your current 10-year exam requirement. This means you will not be required to take your next exam any earlier than 10 years from when you last met your exam requirement. As an example, a Diplomate who met the exam requirement in 2022 will have their next exam requirement due in 2032, therefore the 5-year cycle will begin January 1, 2032, in that case.

A key benefit of the 5-Year Cycle is that you never have to take the one-day exam to maintain your certification unless you prefer that style of testing. It is your choice. Instead, answer 25 quarterly exam questions until you complete 300 total. Most Diplomates complete the longitudinal assessment in three years, but you may roll into a fourth year if needed. This added flexibility and convenience provides you a choice on how and when to complete certification requirements within each 5-Year Cycle. Complete all requirements in four years, and you would enjoy the fifth year off with no requirements. Log in to your MyABFM Portfolio to learn more about the new 5-Year Cycle, along with specific timing of when you will transition to the new program.