Eligible candidates are invited to apply for the APPLIED Exam, the final examination in the pathway to initial certification. The ABD reviews all applications submitted for the exam in conjunction with annual evaluation reports from the candidate’s program director. Approved candidates are notified approximately 6 weeks prior to the exam.
Candidates may take the APPLIED Exam annually during the first five years after the completion of training. During this eligibility window, the candidate shall have no more than five exam attempts.
A dermatologist who has not passed the APPLIED exam within the 5-year eligibility window may not claim to be "board eligible" unless the American Board of Dermatology determines that the physician has been prevented from taking the examination within the applicable five-year period by military deployment or personal catastrophic illness.
If either situation exists, a dermatologist wishing to claim to be "board eligible" or wishing to take the examination after the expiration of the five-year period may seek a time-limited deferral from the Board. The decision to grant or deny a deferral will be at the sole discretion of the Board. This policy also applies to diplomates completing subspecialty fellowships with subspecialty certification examinations.
