The following information appears on the ABP board examination application and
outlines what is required for Residents who are applying for primary certification.
The application for primary certification by ABP requires that candidates list the
number of full-time months spent in the various categories of pathology on the
unique rotations listed below. The type of service (anatomic pathology or clinical
pathology) and the number of months for each must be specified.
Weeks can be translated to fractions of months. For application purposes, a month
is considered to be four weeks. This definition allows for 12 four-week rotations
and four weeks of vacation in a calendar year. Vacation time should not be included
in the application.
Anatomic Pathology
Autopsy Pathology
Surgical Pathology
Cytopathology
Pediatric Pathology
Forensic Pathology
Neuropathology
Informatics
Laboratory Management
Molecular Pathology
Other (specify)
Clinical Pathology
Chemical Pathology
Hematology
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine
Microbiology
Medical Microscopy
Informatics
Laboratory Management
Molecular Pathology
Other (specify)
The total number of autopsies should equal or exceed 50. A separate numbered list of
all complete autopsies performed by the candidate is required. Only age, sex, primary
diagnosis, and date performed are to be listed.
1. Total number of autopsies performed.
Residents should report only those autopsies in which they have an active
role (as appropriate to the case) in each of the following: review of history and
circumstances of death; external examination of the body; gross dissection;
review of microscopic and laboratory findings; preparation of written description
of gross and microscopic findings; development of opinion on cause of death;
review of autopsy report with teaching staff.
a. Number of shared autopsies
b. Number of limited autopsies
c. Number of forensic autopsies
2. Number of surgical specimens examined.
3. Number of cytopathologic specimens examined.
4. Number of bone marrows performed.
5. Number of FNAs performed.
6. Clinical pathology consultations participated in by the resident. A clinical
consultation is defined by ABP as any interaction (formal or informal) between
the resident and another healthcare professional regarding handling of specimens
and/or interpretation of data. These consultations may be oral or
written and do not have to be billable. Do not include written anatomic
pathology reports.
7. List on separate page(s) all necropsies performed, giving only age, sex,
primary diagnosis, and date performed. Do not send complete autopsy reports.
As noted previously, the minimum number of autopsies expected is 50.
For questions regarding the ABP Board Examination visit
www.abpath.org/GenExamInfo.htm or write to questions@abpath.org.
