Becoming board eligible for ABPath

Orbit Staff -

Before you can take the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) primary examination and become a board certified pathologist with the ABPath you must become board eligible.

To be board eligible you need to meet the below requirements and submit an application to take the primary exam.

Board Eligibility Requirements

1. Undergraduate Medical Education

You must have graduated from one of these:

  • Medical college in the US or Canada
  • Osteopathic college
  • Medical college outside of the US or Canada acceptable to the ABPath

You will need to upload a copy of your medical school diploma that shows the date it was awarded with your application.

  • If you do not have a copy of your diploma you can upload a letter from the Dean’s office of your medical school certifying that you graduated with the date you were awarded your degree.

2. Medical Licensure

You must maintain or have applied for a full and unrestricted medical license in the United States or Canada.

If you have not received your license yet you may upload a letter from your medical licensing board that they received and are reviewing your application.

3. Residency Training

You must have completed a graduate medical school (residency) program in pathology or a pathology subspecialty

  • If you completed your training 2008 and after you will need to submit your certification within 5 years of the completion of your training, after 5 years additional training will be required.
  • If you completed your training prior to 2008 within the last 9 years you can apply for board eligibility but you must submit 100 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ earned within the last 4 years.

An online evaluation form will be sent to the most recent program director at your training institution to verify your qualification.

Board Eligibility Period for Examination

Once you have submitted your application and it has been approved by the credentials committee, you have 5 years from the end date of your graduate pathology training to register, schedule and take your primary examination.

You may retake the primary examination as many times as necessary during your period of board eligibility.

After Certification

After you become a board certified pathologist, you’ll need to maintain your certification with the ABPath by participating in the Continuing Certification Program. Learn more about those requirements here.

Questions? We're glad to help. Email support@orbitcme.com