ABFM certification: the one-day exam and the longitudinal assessment
To become certified in family medicine, you pass ABFM’s one-day exam: 300 multiple-choice questions in four 95-minute sections, held each April and November. ABFM’s 2026 exam booklet lists a $1,300 exam fee; check the 2027 booklet when it’s published. After that, ABFM’s 5-Year Cycle keeps you certified through 25 questions a quarter (or the one-day exam), certification activities, CME and an annual fee.
From ABFM’s one-day exam, exam, dates and deadlines, and 5-Year Cycle pages and its 2026 exam information booklet. The $200 annual fee is from AAFP. Checked October 12, 2026.
The one-day exam
- Format. Four 95-minute sections of 75 questions, with 100 minutes of pooled break time, delivered by Prometric at test centers.
- When. April and November each year; scores arrive within 6-8 weeks of the testing window.
- Spring 2027. Apply by January 19, 2027 (no late fee) or by February 25 with a $100 non-refundable late fee; residency must be complete by June 30, 2027.
- Fall 2027. First application deadline August 16, 2027; residency must be complete by December 31, 2027.
- Withdrawing. No cancellation fee up to 30 days before your exam, and no seat fee up to 5 days before.
- Retakes. A new application is needed for each attempt; ABFM’s booklet lists a $650 re-examination fee (50% of the current fee).
The 5-Year Cycle
- Exam requirement: 25 longitudinal assessment questions a quarter, or the one-day exam in year four.
- Certification activities: 60 points through self-assessment and performance improvement.
- CME: 200 credits.
- Annual fee: $200 per AAFP; ABFM says the fee hasn’t increased since 2012.
The longitudinal assessment
Instead of 300 questions in one day, you answer 25 online questions each quarter over three to four years, per ABFM. ABFM’s journal article describes five minutes per question with access to references. For 2027, Quarter 1 questions open January 1 and must be finished by March 31, and 5-Year Cycle registration without a late fee closes February 25.
Common questions about ABFM certification
What is the ABFM pass rate?
Published figures for first-time takers range from 86.5% (2022, as reported) to 88.3% for US graduates in a JABFM study, while AAFP says more than 98% pass on their initial attempt. See our ABFM pass rates page for what each figure measures.
Do most physicians choose the longitudinal option?
Yes. ABFM’s current exam page says more than 80% of eligible diplomates choose the longitudinal assessment when given the option; an earlier ABFM journal article reported more than 73% in 2019 to 2021.
How much is the ABFM exam?
$1,300 for the one-day exam per ABFM’s 2026 booklet, with a $650 re-examination fee; AAFP also says most residents paid $1,300 in 2024.
Does the annual fee cover exam attempts?
ABFM’s 2026 registration booklet says the annual certification fee includes two exam attempts, excluding late fees.
We first checked these sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 19, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with ABFM or AAFP.