Physicians Have Continuous Learning Options with FMCLA and CKSA

Rather than take your certification exam in one day in a potentially stressful setting, ABFM developed the Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA) to support Diplomates in completing their exam requirement over time using a longitudinal format that promotes learning at the same time you are having your cognitive knowledge assessed. After a three-year pilot demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with this approach and comparable psychometrics to the one-day examination, FMCLA was approved as a permanent exam option. Advantages to FMCLA include increased flexibility, less stress, and learning as you go!  In FMCLA, 25 exam questions are delivered to you quarterly and may be completed online, using the device of your choice, and at a convenient time and location of your choosing. You are allowed up to five minutes to complete each item and can utilize references. You have up to four years to complete 300 items and complete the assessment, though it can be done in as little as three years. Once you have completed 300 FMCLA questions and your results are released, you will receive up to 30 CME and 10 certification points for your participation. Physicians due to fulfill their exam requirement in 2022 (i.e., 10th-year) may choose FMCLA as their exam alternative, by completing the application by March 14, 2022. Log in to your MyABFM portfolio to get started.

This is similar to, but distinct from, the Continuous Knowledge Self-Assessment (CKSA), which is a non-scored self-assessment activity that also provides 25 questions per quarter to anyone participating in family medicine certification. CKSA does not meet the exam requirement and differs from FMCLA in two key areas. 1) It provides 2.5 points each quarter toward your 50-point stage requirement and completion of four quarters will fulfill your Knowledge Self-Assessment (KSA) requirement, 2) the CKSA questions are not timed.  Like FMCLA, each question is followed by a critique that explains the answer, along with references.

ABFM hopes that these two programs make your certification process simpler and more easily adaptable to your busy schedule. Learn more about each program here.