The ABEM supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Board will make a reasonable effort to provide qualified Board candidates who have documented disabilities the necessary auxiliary aids and services that do not fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge the Board’s program is intended to test or result in an undue burden [ADA §309(b)(3)]. Candidates desiring accommodations for documented disabilities must complete a Disability Accommodation Request Form.

The Disability Accommodation Request Form provides candidates a convenient method to request any necessary modifications, as well as a way to provide the ABEM the required advance notice and documentation of their disabilities. This form may be obtained from the ABEM Executive Office at any time. The examination application contains an area where candidates may request the Disability Accommodation Request Form.

When submitting the Disability Accommodation Request Form, the candidate shall provide all documentary evidence necessary to establish to the Board’s reasonable satisfaction the existence, specific nature, and extent of the candidate’s disability. Documentation should include a specific diagnosis of the disability and medical records or other documentation by an appropriate medical or other health professional. The Board reserves the right to verify the disability and to request additional documentation as necessary. The candidate should also explain why the modification requested is required by the individual’s disabilities. All special arrangements must be made and agreed upon in advance; such arrangements cannot be made at the time the examination is given. The Board will make the final determination as to the necessary accommodations for an individual with a verified disability.

The ABEM does not discriminate among applicants on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, or marital status.

The rejection of credentials for admission to an examination is considered an “adverse determination regarding application.” An applicant who receives an adverse determination may appeal by complying with the following:

Notice of a failing grade in the examination is considered an “adverse determination regarding recertification.” If a verbal or written inquiry is received from a candidate within 15 days of the date on which examination results were posted, the Executive Office will review documentation for transcription or reporting errors and will contact the candidate in writing, either reversing or confirming the original adverse determination. The letter will also include the ABEM Appeals Procedure for Adverse Determination Regarding Certification. After receiving the document, any candidate who receives an adverse determination may appeal within 15 days as outlined in the document. The ABEM Appeals Procedure for Adverse Determination Regarding Certification may be requested at any time. All correspondence or other materials should be sent to the ABEM Executive Office.

The Board shall have authority to revoke any certificate it issues or place a certificate holder on probation for a fixed or indefinite time if: (1) the certificate was issued contrary to or in violation of the Bylaws or any rule or regulation of the Board, (2) the person to whom the certificate was issued made any material misstatement or omission of fact to the Board in his or her application or otherwise, (3) a license to practice medicine of the person to whom the certificate was issued is forfeited, revoked, or suspended, and/or (4) the person to whom the certificate was issued is convicted of a felony or an offense involving moral turpitude.  The Board may also revoke any certificate if the primary board certificate has lapsed, been suspended, or revoked. Any complaint in relation to such circumstances shall be reviewed according to procedures established by the Board.