Become a Certifying Exam Examiner
Call for Applications: Opens July 15 - September 15
What is the Certifying Exam?
The final step for early-career physicians to become ABEM-Certified is the Certifying Exam. This Exam will allow physicians to apply the skills and methods learned in training to simulated and real-world clinical scenarios to determine whether they meet the high standards required for the independent practice of Emergency Medicine. The former Oral Exam retired in 2025 as we moved to the Certifying Exam in 2026. Examiners play a vital role in the exam, ensuring a fair, reliable, and valid assessment.
Eligibility
- Be an ABEM-certified physician.
- Actively participate in ABEM continuing certification at the level required of all ABEM-certified physicians.
- Have completed an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited Emergency Medicine residency at least three years ago.
- Meet the requirements for active involvement in the practice of Emergency Medicine clinical care as defined by the Policy on Clinical Activity and Meaningful Care.
Time Commitment
Selected applicants are offered a three-year term, with opportunities for reappointment based on participation and performance. Examiners are expected to participate in at least three exam administrations during their term. ABEM offers nine Certifying Exam administrations each year. Examiners choose to participate in person, administering cases to candidates in Raleigh, North Carolina, or remotely, scoring prerecorded case encounters. Participating in person and remotely both count toward participation requirements.
In-person examiners attend training on Sunday afternoon and participate in exam administration Monday through Thursday. Remote examiners typically spend 15 to 20 hours asynchronously scoring recorded case encounters during and immediately after an administration.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is one of the case types administered in person. Ultrasound examiners are asked to:
- Facilitate a 10-minute ultrasound case from start to finish.
- Operate the ultrasound equipment for candidates, including adjusting settings such as gain and depth.
- Serve as the first point of contact for basic troubleshooting of the ultrasound system during testing.
Eligibility requirements, time commitment, and application process are the same as all other examiners. Note ultrasound expertise in the Additional Comments section of the application.
Application Process
- Applications are accepted from July 15 through September 15 each year.
- The application form is based on the Examiner Attributes the Board has determined individuals must possess to be successful.
- An application form and a recommendation are both required.
- Applications are reviewed by the Board in October and November.
- A call for applications will go out to all eligible physicians and additional information will be posted on the ABEM website during the application process.
Questions? Contact volunteerservices@abem.org.
More Information
- The exam is administered in Raleigh, NC, at a state-of-the-art assessment center. Learn more about the AIME Center.
- If you become an Examiner, ABEM will work with you annually on scheduling and availability for both in-person and remote scoring opportunities.
- All examiners receive Certifying Examination-specific training leading up to their assigned exam administrations.
- In-person Examiners are provided on-site training on day one, followed by four days of exams for each administration.
- Remote Scoring Examiners have asynchronous schedules and timelines, offering flexibility.
- Examiner-specific materials will be shared prior to each exam administration.
