ABMM: Applying for Certification

Your non-refundable application fee and all supporting documents must be received no later than August 1, 2013.  The exam is administered throughout the month of October 2013 at testing centers around the world.

Follow the instructions below to apply:

1. Create a Webassessor account. 

   Click here to access the Webassessor site. You must first create a login name. You will then be prompted to create a profile. Please complete all fields in the profile to expedite the processing of your application.

   Upon creation of your profile, you will receive an automated email with your login name and password. Keep this email for your records. If your application is approved, your login information will be required to register for the exam.
    

2. Pay the application fee.

   The non-refundable application fee is paid through the ASM’s eStore. You must first create an account. You will then be able to enter the ASMONLINE Category, select Certification Application Fees from the list, and purchase the “ABMM Application Fee” item. The application fee is $450 for ASM members and $575 for non-members, both in U.S. currency. Your application cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.

   Please note: The application fee, which covers the review of the application, is non-refundable. If your application is approved, you must pay an exam fee of $400 to register for the exam.
    

3. Submit official graduate transcripts.

   If you were educated within the U.S. or Canada, official transcripts must be mailed directly to the ABMM from the issuing institution. They should be mailed to the following address:
    

   American Board of Medical Microbiology
   American Society for Microbiology
   1752 N Street, N.W.
   Washington, DC 20036-2904
    

   Photocopies will not be accepted. All educational requirements must be met through institutions accredited by a regulatory agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

   Note: If the name on your transcript(s) does not match the name on your application form and/or reference letters, you must submit a notarized copy of your marriage license or name change certificate as part of your application.
    

   If you were educated outside the U.S. or Canada, your original, official graduate transcripts (not photocopies) must be evaluated by an approved foreign educational evaluation agency, a process which may take several months. The evaluation agency must send your evaluation directly to the ABMM at the address above. Transcripts received directly from a foreign institution or translation of transcripts from such institutions will not be accepted by the ABMM. For applicants to be considered eligible to sit for the ABMM exam, their degrees earned outside the U.S. or Canada must be deemed equivalent to those earned at an U.S. accredited institution.

   Evaluations will be accepted from the following agencies:
   
   Center for Applied Research, Evaluation and Education, Inc.
   E-mail: eval_caree@yahoo.com
   
   International Educational Research Foundation, Inc. 
   E-mail: info@ierf.org
   
   Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
   E-mail: info@jsilny.com
   
   World Education Services, Inc.
   E-mail: info@wes.org
   
   Please note: Transcripts and/or educational evaluations will not be returned to applicants.
    

4. Ask your supervisor to complete the online reference form. The reference form can be accessed by clicking here .
   
   The minimum work experience requirement must be documented through the use of an online reference form(s) completed by your current or former immediate supervisor(s). Submit only as many reference forms as are necessary to document the minimum requirement. 
   
   If you have completed a CPEP-approved training program, you must have your program director submit a reference form on your behalf. 
   
   References must specifically address the time you spent and your experience in the following areas:
   • Responsibilities and skills in the clinical laboratory
   • Interaction with healthcare providers
   • Management and administrative skills

The references provide reviewers with an adequate understanding of the depth of your training and/or experience. References will be verified.

References must be submitted electronically using the online form. An automatic submission confirmation email will be sent to the reference and applicant upon submission.

References in letter form will not be accepted by the ABMM.  

Remember that your application is not complete until all of the following have been received: 

• Non-refundable application fee (payable only through the ASM's eStore)
• Official graduate transcripts or transcript evaluation, if you were educated outside the U.S.
• Online reference form(s) from your current or former supervisor(s)
• Notarized copy of your marriage license or name change certificate, if applicable

Incomplete applications will be held in active status for one year, awaiting outstanding supporting documents.  Thereafter, a new application and non-refundable fee are required.

A Note to Candidates:

The ABMM does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, mental or physical disability, or age. The ABMM complies with the policies set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ABMM is prepared to assist you in applying for Board certification. Questions or comments about the ABMM and its certification programs are welcome and may be directed to the ABMM at the following address:
 

American Board of Medical Microbiology
American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-2904
Telephone: (202) 942-9257
Eax: (202) 942-9353
E-mail: certification@asmusa.org