ABD Pediatric Dermatology

The exam is offered by the American Board of Dermatology, an independent non-profit and a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. This page is an independent study resource and has no affiliation with, or endorsement from, the ABD. Verify all official details, including eligibility and application deadlines, directly with the board.

The ABD exam calendar lists the Pediatric Dermatology Subspecialty Certification Exam on October 7, 2027, and again on October 19, 2028. No earlier administration appears on the calendar text reviewed here. Always confirm the date and any application window on the ABD site before planning your study timeline.

Expect two broad areas: pediatric dermatology and general and medical dermatology. Pediatric content includes neonatal, infantile, and adolescent skin disease, genodermatoses, and vascular anomalies; the general portion tests the adult and medical dermatology foundation. Do not study pediatric topics in isolation - the general half carries equal weight in this study plan.

Start with general and medical dermatology to rebuild breadth, since pediatric presentations are usually variations on the same disease mechanisms. Then move to pediatric-specific entities, syndromes, and dosing considerations. Finish with mixed-topic self-testing under timed conditions. Interleaving the two domains from the start tends to beat block-by-block review.

Subspecialty exams assume you already know core dermatology, so difficulty comes from discrimination, not recall. Common failure modes: over-studying rare genodermatoses while neglecting common inflammatory disease, weak grasp of pediatric drug dosing and safety, and misreading image-free vignettes that hinge on a single historical detail. Practice justifying each answer choice.

The ABD source text reviewed here does not state the item count, time limit, or delivery format for this subspecialty exam, so treat any specific figure you hear as unverified. Check the ABD site or your application materials for the authoritative format. Plan your timed practice sessions only after confirming the real length.

The passing standard is not published in the source material reviewed here, so no numeric score can be quoted reliably. The ABD sets and maintains its own standards for certification. Confirm scoring and reporting details with the board rather than relying on secondhand figures, which are frequently outdated.

The retake policy is not specified in the source text reviewed here, so it is marked for review rather than guessed. Because subspecialty exams are offered on limited dates, a failed attempt can mean a long wait. Ask the ABD about retake eligibility and timing before you sit, and build a buffer into your plan.

Validity period and continuing certification requirements are not stated in the source material reviewed here, so no number is given. The ABD maintains a Continuing Certification Program and a CertLink assessment platform for diplomates. Consult the board directly for the requirements that will apply to you after passing.

With administrations spaced roughly a year apart, begin at least four to six months out: two months of general and medical dermatology, two months of pediatric content, and the remainder on mixed timed practice and review of missed items. Confirm your exam date first, then work backward from it.