ABCP Diplomate
American Board of Clinical Pharmacology Certification Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Board of Clinical Pharmacology (ABCP) offers board certification in two domains: Clinical Pharmacology, for currently licensed M.D. candidates, and Applied Pharmacology, a research-oriented certification whose applicants commonly include MD, PhD, PharmD, and RPh holders. Candidates who are approved by the board and pass the relevant examination may carry the credentials DABCP (CP) or DABCP (AP). The ABCP examination is a single annual test cycle: applications must be submitted and pre-approved by active board members, and approved candidates then register for a date and site, testing on business days between July 1 and August 31 at sites across the USA and Canada. No testing is available on July 4 or the recognized holiday, or on Saturdays and Sundays. The board exams are administered by the Professional Testing organization. Preparation should combine a structured review of your domain's core content with practice on the board's published sample exam and answer key, and, for Clinical Pharmacology candidates, close attention to the fellowship-level material implied by the two-year training requirement. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ABCP; always confirm application deadlines and eligibility on the board's own Certification pages before you apply.
What you'll study
About ABCP Diplomate preparation
When can I take the ABCP examination?
There is one test cycle each year. After your application is approved and you are contacted for exam date and site registration, you may test on business days between July 1 and August 31. No testing occurs on July 4, the recognized holiday date, or on Saturdays and Sundays.
Which credential should I pursue, CP or AP?
Clinical Pharmacology (DABCP (CP)) requires a currently licensed M.D. at the time of the exam plus completion of a Clinical Pharmacology fellowship, usually two years, at an ABCP-accredited or registered program. Applied Pharmacology (DABCP (AP)) is research-oriented and commonly draws MD, PhD, PharmD, and RPh applicants.
Do I need to apply before scheduling a test date?
Yes. All applications must be submitted and pre-approved by active board members before you can sit for the exam. Only after approval are you contacted for exam date and site registration, so build application lead time into your study plan rather than assuming you can book a July date at short notice.
Where are the exams given?
The board states that it has sites throughout the USA and Canada where candidates can sit the examinations. Exact site availability is handled during the date and site registration step that follows application approval, so confirm your preferred location early in that process.
How long is the certification valid, and what must I maintain?
The board describes its certification as permanent. However, remaining a diplomate in good standing is required, and Clinical Pharmacology diplomates must hold an active medical license and comply with their state CME relicensing requirements. The board suggests CME or post-fellowship training relevant to all areas of certification.
Who administers the exam, and what does the format look like?
The board exams are administered by the Professional Testing organization. The source material does not publish item counts, section lengths, or a scaled passing score, so treat any specific numbers you see elsewhere as unverified and check the board's Examination Information page for the authoritative description.
Is there a sample exam I can use while preparing?
Yes. The board's site includes an Exam Questions and Strategies section along with a Sample Exam and Answer Key. Working through these early tells you how questions are phrased, then use the remaining study time to close content gaps rather than re-reading material you already handle well.
What is the most common preparation mistake?
Misjudging the calendar. Because there is only one cycle per year, a missed application deadline or an unapproved application costs a full year. Start the application early, confirm eligibility against the Certification tab, and schedule your study plan to finish before the July 1 window opens.
If I do not pass, when can I retake the exam?
The source material does not state a retake policy, fee, or waiting period. Since testing is confined to a single July-August cycle each year, plan on the possibility that a retake would fall in a later annual cycle, and confirm the actual policy with the board before relying on it.