ABPS Emergency Medicine (BCEM)

ABPS states that candidates must successfully complete both a written and an oral examination. The computer-based written exam consists of 325 multiple-choice questions, and candidates must pass the written exam before taking the oral component. Plan your preparation to cover both formats, since passing one does not substitute for the other.

Once granted, all ABPS certificates are good for a period of eight years, expiring on December 31st of the eighth year. Build recertification planning into your calendar well before that date, since recertification has its own requirements and written examination.

ABPS lists three components: documentation of the required number of Continuing Medical Education hours, completion of the recertification application, and successful completion of the written recertification examination. Note that recertification is a written exam only per the source; confirm current details with ABPS before applying.

Yes, through a defined pathway. BCEM eligibility includes completing an ACGME-, AOA-, or RCPSC-accredited primary care residency AND a minimum of five years and 7,000 hours of emergency department casework. The alternative pathway is an ACGME-, AOA-, or RCPSC-accredited residency in emergency medicine.

Applicants must first satisfy general ABPS requirements: graduation from a recognized U.S. or Canadian allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine, and a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or Canada. BCEM then applies its own additional eligibility requirements on top of these.

Because the written exam must be passed before the oral component, front-load content review: build broad emergency medicine coverage first, then shift to timed 325-question-style practice to build stamina and pacing. Only after the written pass should you drill oral case presentation, structured reasoning, and verbal defense of management decisions.

The usual culprits are shallow coverage of low-frequency topics, poor time management across a long item set, and misreading stems that hinge on a single qualifier. For the oral component, candidates most often falter by committing to a diagnosis early and failing to verbalize a systematic differential and reassessment plan.

The source page for BCEM does not state a fee or a seat-time duration; it directs readers to separate pages for exam dates and fees. Because these figures change, verify the current application and written exam fees and scheduling directly with ABPS rather than relying on secondhand numbers.

ABPS states that candidates must pass the written exam in order to take the oral component, so a written failure blocks progression to the oral exam. The source does not publish a detailed retake policy or waiting period; contact ABPS directly to confirm retake eligibility, timing, and any associated fees.

No. This is independent study material prepared by an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Physician Specialties or the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine. Always confirm eligibility, dates, and fees against official ABPS sources before applying.