Dermatology Board

The ABD's published calendar lists a BASIC examination for first-year residents, CORE examinations in several annual administrations, an APPLIED examination, and subspecialty certification examinations in dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, and MDS. Scheduled BASIC dates are April 9, 2026 and April 1, 2027; APPLIED administrations are July 15, 2027 and July 20, 2028.

CORE administrations are October 21–November 4, 2026; February 4–12, 2027; July 13–21, 2027; and October 22–30, 2027. Dermatopathology runs September 13–October 1, 2027 and September 11–29, 2028; pediatric dermatology on October 7, 2027 and October 19, 2028; MDS on September 15, 2027 and October 3, 2028.

Not on its home page. The public calendar gives administration windows and dates only, with no item counts, time limits, or cut scores. This page therefore leaves those figures blank rather than repeating numbers it cannot verify; confirm current specifications through the ABD's FAQs or the Physician Experience Team.

Fees, retake rules, and the validity period of a certificate are not published on the ABD home page. Because these details change and outdated figures circulate widely, verify them directly with the ABD at [email protected] or (617) 910-6400 before you plan a retake or budget.

The ABD's home page publishes no pass rates, so difficulty claims elsewhere are unverifiable. What the board does say is that certification reflects the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality, safe, and effective dermatologic care - an argument for broad, sustained coverage rather than narrow cramming of a few favorite topics.

Treat BASIC, given to first-year residents, as your foundation: build the general dermatology framework first, then add depth in dermatopathology and pediatric dermatology. For CORE, shift from recognition to mechanism and management. For APPLIED, practice applied decision-making and procedural judgment. Sit subspecialty examinations only once the general curriculum feels solid.

The ABD runs a Continuing Certification Program built around CertLink, an assessment tool the board says is designed to support physician learning and positively affect patient care; the ABD reports high satisfaction in its annual CertLink survey. Specific requirements, intervals, and fees are not stated on the home page, so confirm them with the ABD.

No. This page is an independent study resource that summarizes the ABD's public home page as retrieved on October 31, 2026; it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the board and does not reproduce examination content. For binding rules on eligibility, scheduling, scoring, and certification, use abderm.org.

Contact the ABD's Physician Experience Team, which the board says handles diplomate questions, particularly about the Continuing Certification Program. Reach the office at [email protected] or (617) 910-6400, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET; the office is at 2 Wells Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts 02459.