Approved applicants will receive notification of Active Candidate Status through email and the portal. Scheduling of the examination will be available by Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE testing centers through the U.S. and at select international sites host the examination. Applicants who wish to sit for the examinations outside of the U.S. or Canada must indicate this and pay the additional international testing site fee (per exam). To request an international testing site, please email credentials@abmgg.org after submitting your application.
The ABMGG primary certification examination is comprised of two parts. The examination includes a general genetics examination for examinees who are not already diplomates and a specialty examination in the specialty or subspecialty areas. An active candidate for ABMGG certification must take the general examination, if applicable, and at least one specialty examination. A candidate may only take the specialty examination(s) for which they have been credentialed. Each examination is administered on a specific day.
ABMGG diplomates who are seeking certification in an additional specialty or subspecialty do not need to take the general examination. They will only be required to take the specialty examination(s) for which they have been credentialed.
To be certified by the ABMGG, active candidates must pass both the general examination and at least one specialty examination. Failure to pass the certifying examination is not grounds for appeal.
Examination Length
The general examination is 126 items. The examination is split into three testing blocks with 50 minutes to complete 42 items. Between each block there is a 10-minute break.
Each specialty or subspecialty examination is 150 items. The examination is split into three testing blocks with 60 minutes to complete 50 items. Between each block there is a 10-minute break.
Once a block is complete you will not be able to return to any items within that block.
With tutorial time and breaks, the general exam is approximately 3 hours and the specialty/subspecialty exams are 3.5 hours.
Primary Certification and Subspecialty Certification Attempts
- Candidates must achieve board certification in the specialty or subspecialty for which they are board eligible within six years of the completion of their training in a particular specialty or subspecialty. If a candidate fails to achieve certification for that specialty within this timeframe, they must regain eligibility before they may apply again for certification. Details regarding board eligibility and active candidate status can be found here.
- Individuals who do not pass the ABMGG certification examination, withdraw from the certification examination, or do not appear at the certification examination site, will not achieve ABMGG certification.
- No portion of the ABMGG certification examination score will be carried forward to any future certification examination cycle. Thus, if an applicant passes either the general examination or a specialty examination, but not both, neither score will be carried forward and both must be retaken in any following administration.
- If problems arise while at the test center, it is the candidate’s responsibility to inform the onsite test administrator of any difficulties encountered at the examination site. In addition, candidates must inform the ABMGG Administrative Office in writing within one week of the examination of any such difficulties encountered at the examination site. If a problem arises, do NOT leave the testing site. Contact the ABMGG Administrative Office immediately at 301-634-7415.
- The content of the certification examinations is proprietary and strictly confidential information. Applicants must sign an application statement agreeing that they will not disclose, either directly or indirectly, any question or any part of any question from the examination to any person or entity. The unauthorized receipt, retention, possession, copying or disclosure of any certification examination materials, including but not limited to the content of any examination question, before, during, or after the examination may subject the applicant to legal action. Such legal action may result in monetary damages and/or disciplinary action including denial or revocation of ABMGG certification.