Become Certified

About Certification

Overview

The purpose of certification by the ABAI is to provide assurance to the public and the medical profession that a certified allergist/immunologist has successfully completed an accredited educational program and an evaluation process, including a secure, proctored examination. ABAI certification also assures that the physician possesses the knowledge, skills, and experience requisite to the provision of high-quality patient care in allergy and immunology. The ABAI believes that all allergists/immunologists should have a fundamental knowledge of the biological science basic to this discipline, and that ABAI is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the standards of knowledge required for certification.

The ABAI serves candidates who have embarked on a graduate program of study with the specific purpose of excelling in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy/immunology.

Board Eligibility

The American Board of Allergy (ABAI) has established a time limit for candidates to apply for the certification examination in Allergy & Immunology and does not recognize the term “board eligible”. Certification must be achieved within seven (7) years of successful completion of an ACGME accredited fellowship program in allergy & immunology. The seven (7) year window to apply for and successfully complete the certification examination will begin immediately after training is completed.

If the candidate does not accomplish board certification within this seven (7) year timeframe, they will not be permitted to apply for the certification examination and will be required to complete one additional year of re-training in the equivalent of an ACGME approved fellowship program prior to applying for the certification examination. The supervisor of the training must submit their training plans to the ABAI office for prospective approval prior to the commencement of training.

Once re-training has been completed, the candidate must submit an attestation completed by the supervisor of training. Upon approval the candidate will have three (3) years to successfully complete the certification examination.

If board certification is not achieved within the three (3) year window, the candidate will not be eligible to apply for the certification examination again until the following are successfully completed:

  • Completion Allergy and Immunology In-Training Examination sponsored by the AAAAI. Contact the board directly if the exam is unavailable.
  • Provide evidence of 50 Allergy/Immunology specific CME credits for the past 3 years.

Note: Diplomates who have taken the certification examination multiple times through 2019 when this policy became effective will have two additional years to attain certification before entering the ABAI Certification Pathway.

Dual Certification

Formal special pathways exist for individuals wishing to qualify for dual certification in allergy/immunology and:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Adult Rheumatology
  • Pediatric Rheumatology

Individuals pursuing dual certification must complete all requirements for both boards before sitting for either examination. Additional information regarding special pathways is available upon request to the ABAI.