For Residents and Fellows

The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) is excited that you have chosen a career or further training in pediatrics. We are committed to assuring the public that board-certified pediatricians have achieved the knowledge, skills, experience, and other characteristics necessary to provide high-quality care.

To that end, the ABP certifies general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists based on standards of excellence that lead to high-quality health care during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and the transition into adulthood. Our quest for excellence is evident in our rigorous evaluation process and in new initiatives that advance the science, education, study, and practice of pediatrics.

How is the ABP Involved in Pediatric Training?

In conducting our certification process, we:

  • Request program directors, their committees, and faculty to evaluate and ensure that candidates for the certifying exam have attained satisfactory clinical competence and exhibit high standards of professional behavior;
  • Assess the credentials of candidates; and
  • Develop and administer examinations, such as in-training exams, the general pediatrics certifying exam, and subspecialty certifying exams.

Following initial certification, pediatricians are then enrolled in the ABP's continuing certification program, Maintenance of Certification (MOC), designed to help you stay up to date with the most current medical knowledge over the course of time that you practice medicine.

Quick Tips

  • Guide to Board Certification in Pediatrics — Booklet of Information (PDF): You can find certification requirements, review policies, and learn about applying for certification by reading this document. The ABP strongly suggests that you familiarize yourself with the policies within this booklet.
  • Time-Limited Eligibility for Initial Certification (PDF): The ABP does not allow an unlimited amount of time to become certified. Certification must be achieved within seven years of completion of training in the discipline in which an applicant is seeking certification. For details, read thepolicy (PDF).
  • ABP Portfolio: Your ABP Portfolio is a personalized and secure website designed to help you plan and track your success throughout the certification process. Learn more about becoming certified by logging on to your secure, personal ABP Portfolio page.
  • MOC for Residents and Fellows: Residents and noncertified fellows can earn — or "bank" — future MOC Part 4 credit for approved quality improvement (QI) work they are already doing in training. Board-certified fellows may earn current MOC credit toward their current MOC cycle.
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