ConCert Examination Description and Content Specifications

The Continuous Certification (ConCert) examination is similar to the former recertification examination. There are, however, two important differences.
• It is administered at over 200 Pearson VUE professional computer-based testing centers.
• It is a shorter examination of approximately 205 multiple-choice questions.
The ConCert exam is a comprehensive examination that covers the breadth of Emergency Medicine. Each ConCert examination appointment is approximately five and one-quarter hours in length, with four and one-quarter hours devoted to actual testing time. The style of the test questions is identical to that of the recertification examination test questions, i.e., single-best-answer, positively-worded, multiple-choice questions focused on what the practicing emergency physician needs to know when treating patients.
The ConCert examination is a criterion-referenced examination. The High Yield Emergency Medicine Text Book by ConCertPrep.com will be helpful for those who are appearing for this exam.

In-training Examination Requirements and Process

The in-training examination is available to all physicians who are enrolled in ACGME or RCPSC-accredited Emergency Medicine residency programs, and physicians who are enrolled in EM/IM, EM/FM, EM/Peds, and EM/IM/CCM combined training programs.
ABEM mails in-training exam registration information to all residency programs, and the programs verify the residents who will take this In Service Exam. ABEM does not communicate directly with residents in this process.
The results of the in-training examination review are mailed within 90 days of the examination date. The results are sent to the program for distribution to individual residents.
The Inservice Examination is a comprehensive examination that covers the breadth of Emergency Medicine. It is a single-session written examination containing 225 multiple-choice questions and takes about 4.5 hours to complete.

ABEM Qualifying Exam

The ABEM qualifying examination is administered once per year, usually in the fall. Physicians who have registered for the examination through ABEM schedule a one-day appointment to take the ABEM examination at one of over 200 computer-based testing centers.

The qualifying exam is divided into two sections or books, each separately timed and each lasting three hours and ten minutes. Once candidates complete one timed book of the qualifying examination they cannot return to it to review answers. Each book of the examination consists of both pictorial and non-pictorial multiple-choice questions. Pictorial abem exam questions refer to stimulus images, such as photos of x-rays, EKGs, rhythm strips, pictures, etc. These images will be presented along with the relevant test question on the computer screen.

Test schedules allow adequate time to complete each portion of the ABEM exam. Candidates who leave the examination room during the examination will not have compensatory time added to the allotted examination period.

To enter the abem board certification, candidates must provide one piece of government-issued picture identification: a driver’s license, state-issued identification card, or passport is accepted. Hospital identification is not acceptable. ABEM does not issue candidates an “entrance ticket” to take to the examination.