The American Board of Adolescent Psychiatry (ABAP) sponsors board certification in Adolescent & Young Adult Psychiatry. ABAP is a semi-autonomous body presently organized under the auspices of The American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry (ASAP). Membership in ASAP is NOT required, however, for candidates to obtain and maintain Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry. 

Initial Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry 

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As of June 1, 2020, the certification examination for added qualifications in Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry is an online, on demand examination, administered during 3 administration time windows (Winter, Spring and Fall). Once any candidate fulfills the requirements and has submitted the necessary application, supporting documents, and required fees, the candidate is contacted and arrangements are made for the exam administration during the next open time window. While some candidates may elect to move directly ahead with the examination, others may desire a delay in order to study and prepare once their application is approved, in which case they may move to a later time window. This is an individualized process worked out at the time of approval.

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 The minimum requirements to be considered for ABAP Certification are:

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• Board Certification in General Psychiatry by the ABPN, AOA, NBPAS, or The Royal College of Physicians in Canada

• An active and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a state or province

• At least 25% of patient care time spent treating adolescents or young adults (ages 11-26)

• Written documentation of the following continuing medical education related to adolescent and/or transitional age youth psychiatry:

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1. Option A (Core Curriculum Track): This track consists of open-access asynchronous lectures and workshops hosted by third parties that ABAP has pre-approved as acceptable CME prerequisites. The courses are currently free of charge and all that is required is that applicants register an account, pass the self-assessments, and at the conclusion, furnish ABAP with your transcript. The Option A core curriculum track is accessed here.​ Specifically, Applicants must complete 36 credits chosen from these specific on demand courses (grand rounds and workshops) chosen from these specific on demand lectures. Take note: The courses must be AMA PRA Category I Credit Programs.​​

2. Option B (Alternative Self-Study Track): 36 hours of Category I CME specific to child, adolescent, or young adult psychiatry and subject to ABAP approval at submission, within 3 years prior to application. Note: All CME submitted via this option will be scrutinized at the time for relevancy to the field of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry and will be rejected if not deemed relevant. Candidates are advised to utilize this option with caution as rejection could jeopardize your application​Note: Option B sunsets on September 30, 2027, and applications submitted after that time using Option B will be rejected.

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The term of the initial certification is ten years. During the initial term of certification, you will need to complete 100 hours of Category I CME activities relevant to the clinical practice of Child, Adolescent or Young Adult Psychiatry. There is no requirement that a certain number of hours be completed each year, but it is recommended that all Diplomates upload their CME annually to the ABAP Executive Office so it can be monitored and approved to avoid coming up short at the end. We have also created a Recertification Examination alternative for those who do not wish to take or submit the required CME or whose CME may not meet approval standards at the time of recertification. Subsequent certification terms run for 5 years and, accordingly, only 50 CME credits during that time are required.

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Fee Schedule

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Registration Fee $450 (a one-time nonrefundable fee, payable at time of application)

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Examination Fee $750 (payable upon successful review of application and admission for candidacy) 

Re-Registration Fee $200 (required only if a candidate fails to pass both portions of the exam and does NOT request re-examination within 6 months of notification of failure, whereafter an updated application will be required; fee waived if candidate retakes failed portion(s) within 6 months of notification) 

Re-Examination Fees $150 for Part I, $150 for Part II, and $300 if both parts are required (payable at time of re-application)

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Payment page:  https://www.adolescentpsychiatry.org/shop

 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION:  CLICK HERE

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Note: References are required. Provide your references with this link to complete an online reference form.

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Unable to complete the online application?  Contact the ABAP National Office for assistance at info@adolpsychiatrycertification.org 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  

 

Certification Examination Study Guide
 

For more information about certification/recertification, contact our Executive Office.