ABMM Eligibility Information
ABMM candidates must demonstrate appropriate education, postdoctoral training, and/or work experience. Each candidate must apply under one of two “plans.”
Plan I: Applicants must possess an earned doctorate and complete a minimum of three (3) years of experience, as defined below.
Plan II: Applicants must possess an earned doctorate and complete two (2) years of postgraduate training in a CPEP-approved program, as defined below. For those who complete a one-year fellowship in a CPEP program, two additional years of experience, as defined below, is required.
EDUCATION
Applicants must possess an earned Doctorate of Philosophy or Doctorate of Science in microbiology or an equivalent degree in one of the related sciences acceptable to the Board. Other degrees (such as Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or Doctor of Dental Surgery) may be accepted if the additional special training and experience of the candidate is approved by the Vice-Chair of the ABMM.
All educational requirements must be met through institutions accredited by a regulatory agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Degrees gained by applicants educated outside of the United States must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation agency and deemed equivalent to those earned at an accredited institution in the United States. See the list of approved foreign credential evaluation agencies under "Apply."
EXPERIENCE
Experience is defined as postdoctoral training, teaching, and/or laboratory experience directly relevant to the practice of clinical or public health microbiology and its subspecialties. Appropriate experience requires an ongoing relationship (as a consultant is acceptable) with a clinical, public health, or other microbiology laboratory that includes a diagnostic service component such that the candidate has devoted at least 50% of his/her time to management, technical, and administrative activities during the three years of experience. The final assessment of acceptable postdoctoral training and experience will be made by the Vice-Chair of the ABMM.
POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
Applicants applying under Plan II below must complete a two-year postdoctoral training program approved by the American College of Microbiology's Committee on Postgraduate Educational Programs (CPEP).
All training and experience requirements must be met after the doctoral degree has been awarded.
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by ABMM Board members. Candidates found eligible must be examined within one year of their approval or a new application will be required.
