American Board of Internal Medicine Covid-19 Update

This information is updated weekly. For the most current update, please visit the ABIM website.

At ABIM we are actively monitoring the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and will post regular updates to this page, including any changes to scheduled assessments. We recommend following the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up to date information on the virus.

Learn more about what to expect at test centers.

The latest as of April 22nd, 2021:

Update: March 8, 2021: All MOC Requirements Extended Through 2022 – ABIM’s Board of Directors is a diverse set of clinicians practicing in a variety of settings, and just like you, has experienced directly the unprecedented clinical demands posed by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. We know internists and internal medicine subspecialists have been on the front lines meeting the country’s needs, many experiencing the tragedy of COVID in deeply personal ways. In recognition of the disruption and urgent clinical responsibilities our colleagues have lived through, ABIM is extending deadlines for all Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements to 12/31/22.

This means that no one will lose certification if they aren’t able to complete any MOC requirement this year. You and your well-being were the most important factors in this decision.

Knowing that the effects of the pandemic have not been evenly distributed and that some of you may elect to take an exam in 2021, ABIM will continue to offer all exams this year as scheduled. You can find more details on our website and via a link at the bottom of this email. In January, 2022 ABIM will launch a new longitudinal knowledge assessment, a more flexible and convenient way to maintain your certification. Physicians who decide to delay their 2021 assessment will be able to enroll in the longitudinal assessment when it rolls out (pending availability), or can choose to take the traditional, 10-year MOC exam if they prefer. In certain cardiology disciplines the Collaborative Maintenance Pathway will remain an option.

The pandemic is a once-in-a-century event, and when we announced an extension of MOC requirements last year we all hoped it would be over by now. But even as we’ve collectively made significant progress toward that end, the fact remains it will still be some time until we are on the other side of this.

We know and understand the demands that have been placed on you, your practice, and your life. While you’ve been keeping up with the rapidly emerging science and evidence on how to treat COVID-19, you may not have had the time to adequately prepare for an ABIM assessment the way you would in a normal year. We also recognize the high levels of stress you may have faced over the last 12 months, and that it will likely be some time until it subsides. We hope this gives you one less thing to worry about.

We are in the process of updating the ABIM Physician Portal to reflect these changes, and if you have any questions about your requirements, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-441-ABIM or email [email protected]. We will continue to keep you informed via email and on abim.org about important program updates.

No matter what you decide to do this year, we speak for our entire Board as we thank you for all you do for your patients as an expert board certified physician. Stay safe.

Update: March 2, 2021: ABIM to Extend All MOC Requirement Deadlines Through 2022 – In light of the impact the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on physicians, ABIM’s Board of Directors has decided to extend the deadline for all MOC requirements – including points, assessments and attestations – through the end of 2022. We will be communicating this information broadly to all board certified physicians the week of 3/8 via email.

During the week of 3/1, ABIM has prioritized getting this information to physicians who are scheduled to take the Cardiology, Gastroenterology or Rheumatology Knowledge Check-Ins (KCI) on 3/5 and 3/6 in order to give those physicians the opportunity to immediately make the decisions that work best for them.

As these physicians may need help with understanding their options, as well as technical support on the KCI testing days, we are asking for physicians in all other specialties who are not facing imminent deadlines to hold off on contacting us during the week of 3/1 - 3/6 so that we are available to those physicians who face time-sensitive demands. Please be on the lookout for an email from ABIM early the week of 3/8 with more information about the Board’s decision and what it means for you.

UPDATE: December 17, 2020: Board Certified Doctors Can Lead By Example with the COVID-19 Vaccine - To bolster public confidence in getting vaccinated for COVID-19, ABIM is calling on all board certified physicians to not only get the vaccine themselves, but to post selfies while they are getting it to build patient trust. As a board-certified physician, the decisions you make about being immunized will have an impact on the decisions made by your patients, your families, and your colleagues. Learn more about how to get involved on ABIM’s blog.

UPDATE: December 15, 2020: ABIM Certificate Printing Delayed - Due to recent increases in COVID-19 cases in our area, the City of Philadelphia has issued a stay-at-home order with which ABIM headquarters must comply. With our staff members working remotely in compliance with local and state guidelines, paper certificate printing and mailing is unavailable at this time. We know physicians take great pride in their ABIM Board Certification. While we aren’t able to produce paper certificates right now, we do encourage physicians to check out the digital badges ABIM rolled out last year. You can download your badge from your Physician Portal and add it to your email signature or web pages to promote your ABIM Board Certification. We also provide resources, such as social media images, infographics and templates for a press release and newsletter article, to promote your certification to your peers, patients and community. Please note: if asked, you do not need your paper certificate to prove your ABIM Board Certification. ABIM’s website serves as the primary source verification for credentialists.

UPDATE: October 28, 2020: Registration and Assessments for 2021 - We are actively monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and at this time, we are still planning to open registration for 2021 assessments on December 1, 2020 and administer all assessments as scheduled. We will continue to update this page and any changes specific to your certification and requirements will be communicated via email. To ensure we’re able to and we will update you if anything changes. If you haven’t already, please confirm we have your most up to date contact information.

See full update history. 

Update July 10, 2020: Scheduled for an assessment?
ABIM is working with Pearson VUE to ensure your safety throughout your exam day. Learn more about what to expect at test centers by reading our updated FAQs.

To be admitted to the test center, Pearson VUE may ask if you live with or have had close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19. We recognize many physicians are on the front lines treating patients during the pandemic, and in doing so may have come in close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Rest assured that physicians (medical/healthcare professionals) who treat patients while both are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be admitted to the test center.

If you experience any issues being admitted to the test center on exam day, please call us at 1-800-441-ABIM (2246).

Update July 7, 2020: Update for IM Certification Exam Appointment Cancellations
Earlier today, some physicians received an automated email from ABIM reminding them to schedule their exam appointment. Our sincere apologies for any confusion that may have caused.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives in many ways. Unfortunately, capacity has decreased at all Pearson VUE test centers to maintain safety. As such, some appointments to take the Internal Medicine Certification Examination have been canceled and must be rescheduled.

If this applies to you, you should also receive this email, which clarifies important questions around why your appointment has been canceled and what your next steps are. If your exam is still scheduled in your Physician Portal, you have not been impacted.

If you need help or have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-441-ABIM (2246), Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with personalized assistance to walk through your options.

See full update history

Gastroenterology Board Exam Dates

Gastroenterology Certification Exam
Application Opens: December 1, 2020
Application Closes (at 11:59 CT): June 15, 2021
Late Application Closes (at 11:59 CT): June 28, 2021
Exam: November 18, 2021
More info

Gastroenterology MOC Exam
Spring Application Dates: December 1, 2020 - February 28, 2021
Fall Application Dates: December 1, 2020 - August 15, 2021
Exam: April 26, 2021; November 18, 2021
Knowledge Check In: March 5 - 6, 2021; October 9 - 12, 2021
More info

The Pass Machine Board Review – Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about The Pass Machine and American Physician Institute

Is The Pass Machine mobile-friendly?

Yes. Because the physician’s schedule is typically a hectic one, The Pass Machine is optimized for on-the-go review via the iOS and Andriod app. This includes offline access capability, making The Pass Machine review easy to incorporate at any point in your daily routine.

Who produces The Pass Machine Courses? Where do you get your faculty?

The Pass Machine board review courses are produced by American Physician Institute for Advanced Professional Studies, LLC (API). API conducts dozens of courses and trains thousands of s each year to pass their boards and stay up-to-date in their fields. Every single one of American Physician Institute‘s educational courses has full editorial independence, is free of pharmaceutical and industry sponsorship and is backed by an unbeatable guarantee. Because of its reputation for excellence, American Physician Institute is able to enlist many of the top faculty from the best universities, teaching hospitals and research facilities in the country to provide you with Category 1 CME educational activities.

Do you provide board review for other medical specialties?

Yes! In fact, we provide preparation for dozens of other specialty and subspecialty board exams. Check out www.AmericanPhysician.com for the full list.

Is it likely that my employer will cover my tuition?

Because all The Pass Machine courses are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits™, it is likely that your tuition will be reimbursed. You may be surprised at how many residency and fellowship training programs, group practices, and other employers pay for or reimburse you for such Category 1 educational activities. After all, it’s in everyone’s best interests to have you board certified. It really pays to ask your training director, medical director or administrator if you are eligible because some training programs and employers do pay for board exam training. And, if you work for the Federal Government, American Physician Institute is a certified business in the System for Award Management (SAM) database and can accept government checks and credit cards.

Does The Pass Machine offer any free board review resources?

Yes! Start with our Medical Board Review Blog. There are general articles featuring board prep tips, and articles on board prep that are more board-specific.

What is your DUNS Number?

American Physician Institute’s DUNS Number is: 016073724

Can I get a course tuition discount?

Yes! American Physician Institute offers several board review course discounts:

1. Group Discounts
2. Multi-purchase discounts
3. Referral earnings & discounts through our Ambassador Club
4. The Residency & Fellowship Program Edition tailored for training programs.

Please call 877-225-8384 for more information, or visit the “Save & Earn” pages under the top menu.

What do I get when I register for the Gastroenterology review course?

Course enrollment grants you access to your personalized online dashboard, which includes:

• 1000+ Gastroenterology Practice Questions
• Earn up to 37.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™
• CME Vault for claiming and storing your CME certificates
• Online study group with course participants

What should I do if I don’t pass my board exam?

First, it’s important to remember that a non-passing result is not necessarily a reflection on your abilities as a . The way the tests you is not the same as the many ways you’re “tested” as a practicing . Check out this reassuring video from Dr. Jack - What To Do If You Fail Your Board Exam https://www.thepassmachine.com/video-what-to-do-fail-your-board-exam/

More to the point, American Physician Institute can work with you to help you get over this professional hurdle. Give us a call!

I didn’t pass my board exam. How do I activate my course guarantee?

To activate your guarantee, you must notify American Physician of your failure to pass your board exam and submit a copy of your exam notification and scores. To be eligible for the refund portion of the Guarantee you must submit your documents within 45 days of the date of your exam fail notification. To notify American Physician and submit your documents, go to your course dashboard and click on the Guarantee tab. Complete the form and attach your exam notification and scores. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt and someone will contact you shortly. If you need assistance with this process or your course access is expired, please contact Customer Care at 877-225-8384

Course Access

When do I receive online access to my review course materials?

When a credit card or debit is used for payment, access is immediate. When a check is used as payment, access will be granted once the check has been received and verified.

How long do I have access to my online materials? Does my course expire?

The prep course and all its associated online material remains active for a full 12 months from your date of purchase when you register now.

What if I'm not ready to take my exam? Can I extend my course?

Some s invest in a board-preparation course many years prior to their exam. In these cases, The Pass Machine allows course registrants to extend the life of their course by 12 months for an additional fee. If you wish to extend your access, please call 877-225-8384 prior to your course expiration date. NOTE: Extension options may be available to Group registrations by calling 844-332-5454.

What are your system requirements?

Our products only require Internet access and a web browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Use of Internet Explorer is NOT recommended.). All content is compatible with current Mac and PC operating systems.

CME Credits & Board Info

How do I get my CME credits?

From your course dashboard, click on the Claim CME tab. You will see your CME test(s) and/or SA test here. Complete the test, and once you have passed with 50% or better, your CME certificate will be issued immediately and placed in your CME Vault. SA tests are not a graded activity. Your certificate is issued based on completing the activity.

How Do I access my earned CME credits

The board review includes access to CME™ Vault for convenient storing and retrieval of CME-related documents. Access this area from the CMEVault tab in your course dashboard.

Where can I find information about taking the GE board exam?

For information about the Board Exam, please visit www.abim.org/