TL;DR:
- ABEM replaced a single five-hour, in-person recertification exam (held every 10 years) with MyEMCert, a modular digital certification program built with BenchPrep.1
- Physicians now complete four self-paced modules every five years, with instant question-level feedback and rationales, and ABEM phased out in-person continuing certification exams entirely by 2022.1
- The model has since expanded into subspecialty certification (MyEMSCert in 2023) with more programs, like MyToxCert, planned.1
The Problem: Certification That Didn't Fit Physicians' Lives
Emergency Medicine physicians recertifying through ABEM historically faced lengthy exams at external testing centers — disruptive to their schedules and, at times, disconnected from what they actually did on shift.1 For a credentialing body whose entire value proposition is relevance and rigor, that disconnect was a problem worth solving.
In 2016, ABEM began developing the vision for a different approach: MyEMCert, a technology-driven certification experience built to fit into a physician's continuous learning journey rather than interrupt it.1
The Solution: MyEMCert's Modular, Digital Approach
MyEMCert launched in 2021 with eight comprehensive Emergency Medicine modules.1 Instead of one high-stakes exam every decade, the program is structured around:
- Self-paced, topic-specific modules covering relevant Emergency Medicine subjects.1
- Immediate, question-level feedback — pass/fail results, correct answers, and detailed rationales after every module.1
- A five-year cadence: physicians must pass four modules every five years to maintain certification, replacing the old five-hour exam every ten years.1
That structure does double duty: it eliminates the grueling, all-at-once exam format, and it promotes ongoing engagement with current medical knowledge rather than a one-time cram-and-forget cycle.1
The Partnership Requirements
ABEM wasn't looking for a generic testing vendor. Per Michele Miller, Associate Executive Director of Systems & Technology, the requirements were specific: seamless integration with ABEM's physician portal, the ability to maintain ABEM's own item bank for test questions, a time-limited and forward-only navigation assessment format, access to resources during the test, and detailed answer rationales.1 BenchPrep was selected as the technology partner that met — and exceeded — that list.1
The Results
The rollout followed a clear progression:
- 2016 — ABEM initiates the vision for MyEMCert.1
- 2021 — MyEMCert launches with eight Emergency Medicine modules.1
- 2022 — ABEM phases out in-person continuing certification exams entirely.1
- Early 2023 — The first two modules launch for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) subspecialty continuing certification, marking the start of "MyEMSCert."1
According to AJ Wolf, ABEM's Marketing Manager, the pilot saw a high physician sign-up rate. Physicians valued the flexibility of completing modules on their own time and the instant, question-level feedback — reading the rationale even when they got a question right, then applying that knowledge on their next shift. One of the more notable outcomes: the format significantly reduced stress levels tied to the certification process.1
What Physicians Are Saying
Direct physician feedback backs up the internal read:
- "It overall was a really, really positive experience... I never ever thought I would say that." — M.D., Boston, MA.1
- "The immediate feedback was awesome... This format is much superior to the old exam taken every 10 years which did not provide real feedback or educational value." — Anonymous M.D.1
- "I certainly was surprised with the amount of information that I could bring back to practice just from looking through [the modules]." — M.D., Arlington Heights, IL.1
What's Next
ABEM continues to build on the MyEMCert model. The organization has announced plans for MyToxCert, a continuing certification program for the Medical Toxicology subspecialty, extending the same digital-first, module-based approach to new areas of Emergency Medicine practice.1
Full detail: How Did ABEM Modernize Physician Certification and Recertification?
Frequently asked questions
What is MyEMCert and why did ABEM build it?
MyEMCert is ABEM's digital certification program, launched in 2021, designed to replace a single five-hour in-person exam every ten years with eight self-paced modules that include immediate feedback and rationales. ABEM began developing it in 2016 to make certification more relevant to day-to-day practice and less disruptive to physicians' schedules.1
How often do physicians need to recertify under MyEMCert?
Physicians must pass four modules every five years to maintain ABEM certification, replacing the previous requirement of a single lengthy exam every ten years.1
Has ABEM expanded the MyEMCert model beyond Emergency Medicine certification?
Yes. In early 2023, ABEM launched the first two modules for EMS subspecialty continuing certification under "MyEMSCert," and the organization has announced plans for a similar program, MyToxCert, for the Medical Toxicology subspecialty.1