The ABD has created an International Pathway for faculty members with the academic rank of Assistant Professor or higher and who have had a full-time faculty appointment in a department of dermatology for at least five consecutive years at the same institution in the U.S. or Canada.
All candidates for certification must pass all four CORE exam modules before taking the APPLIED Exam. Passing the APPLIED Exam leads to certification in general dermatology.
Candidates have five years after their application is accepted to pass all exams in the Certification Pathway.
Declaration of Intent: Interested candidates will be asked to attest to the following criteria:
· Graduation from an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)-recognized
medical school.
· Completion of an international graduate medical education training program in dermatology (of at
least 3 years duration).
· A valid medical license, free from adverse actions, to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or
Canada.
· Appointment at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or Canadian-accredited
medical school and a department/division that sponsors an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited
dermatology residency training program.
· Full-time faculty appointment in an academic department of dermatology for a minimum of five
consecutive years (immediately prior to application) at the same institution.
· Academic rank of Assistant Professor or higher.
· Active supervision of and teaching trainees (students, residents, or fellows) in clinical settings.
· Currently providing direct patient care.
· Agree that, if accepted into the International Pathway, they will need to pass the four CORE exam
modules and the APPLIED Exam within 5 years to become certified by the ABD.
· Once certified, the diplomate will participate in the Continuing Certification Program (CCP).
If a candidate’s initial attestation is approved, then the candidate will be invited to submit a formal application and a non-refundable fee ($500) PLUS:
· Reference from the Chair of the Department/Division of Dermatology at the sponsoring institution
where the candidate holds a current full-time faculty appointment, attesting to the candidate’s
contribution to the field of dermatology through scholarship, education, and clinical care.
· Two additional references from one or more of the following, all of whom must be ABD-certified:
o Dermatology Residency Program Director at the sponsoring institution attesting to the
candidate’s contribution to resident and medical student education.
o Departmental peer at the sponsoring institution attesting to the candidate’s
departmental contribution to scholarship, education, or clinical care.
o Referring dermatologist outside the department where the candidate holds a current full-time
faculty appointment attesting to the candidate’s clinical care (one maximum).
· Copy of a valid ECFMG certificate.
· Documentation of completion of an international graduate medical education training program in
dermatology (of at least 3 years duration). If original documents are in a language other than
English, a notarized English translation must accompany them.
· Proof of continuous, full, and unrestricted licensure in the United States, its territories, or Canada
for five years.
· Proof of unrestricted clinical privileges at a licensed medical center certified by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
· Curriculum Vitae, using a CV template from the ABD. (custom CV formats not permitted)
Submissions will be evaluated by the ABD Executive Committee which will recommend candidates to the full Board of Directors for approval.
Once approved, each candidate will have five years within which to pass the four CORE Exam modules and the APPLIED Exam. The fee to take the CORE Exam is $200. The APPLIED Exam fee is $2,250.
Once certified, diplomates are expected to participate in the Continuing Certification Program with an annual fee of $150.
Timeline for 2025
Submit Declaration of Intent: April 7-11
Submit Application & References: April 15 - May 4
Application Approvals: End of July
