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Obtaining a Certification Application Completing the Certification Application Submitting the Application Application Processing Appeals Obtaining a Certification Application Physicians applying for the certification process must complete the current year’s certification application.  ABEM prepares personalized application forms for graduating residents and sends the forms to residency directors for distribution.  Residents who expect to graduate at least five business days before the examination date should submit their applications during the regular application cycle.  ABEM will make every attempt to complete the credentialing process and schedule these physicians for the current year’s qualifying examination.   Completing the Certification Application Instructions for completing the certification application are included with the application.  Physicians with questions about the credential requirements or any portion of the certification application should call the ABEM office for clarification and assistance before submitting their applications. Submitting the Application ABEM strongly encourages physicians to submit their application forms well before the deadline date and to mail them using a method that provides confirmation of delivery. Physicians should also ensure that the postmark date is clearly discernable, since the postmark date is used to determine whether the application can be accepted and the fee that is due.  Initial Certification Application Dates and Fees.   The following items must be submitted for a certification application to be complete: A completed, signed, and notarized current year Certification Application Form The application fee in U.S. funds Additional items included in the application materials or referred to in the application instructions, if applicable. ABEM recommends that physicians retain a photocopy of each form and supporting document submitted to ABEM.  Applications and related information become property of ABEM, and submitted documentation will not be returned to the physician.   Application Processing ABEM processes applications as they are received.  ABEM checks to ensure that the application is complete and that the physician has submitted the required items, including the appropriate payment.  The application fee covers the cost of processing the application only and cannot be refunded under any circumstances.  An application cannot be processed without full payment.  Deadline dates and fees are listed under Initial Certification Application Dates and Fees. If payment is included, but other items are missing or incomplete, ABEM can begin processing the application, but a final review cannot be completed until all information is received.  Applications that remain incomplete will be closed on April 1 of the following year.  Physicians with closed applications must submit new applications if they want to apply for certification.  They must meet all requirements in place at the time the new application is submitted.   ABEM verifies physician credentials as part of the application processing.  By signing the application form, physicians give ABEM permission to verify information submitted on the Certification Application.   ABEM mails notification regarding whether or not the physician has met the credential requirements.  If an application is not accepted as fulfilling these requirements, ABEM includes instructions for the reconsideration or appeal of the credential decision with the letter of notification.   All credential decisions are communicated in writing over the signature of the Board president, secretary-treasurer, or as otherwise specified in ABEM policies and procedures.   Appeals ABEM maintains an application appeal procedure for candidates whose applications are determined not to fulfill the credential requirements.  A copy of the procedure is available from the ABEM office.     Revised 5/12/06