Diplomate Certification – Common Questions

A candidate who has received the MD degree and has passed the required examinations is eligible for the National Board Certification as a Diplomate.
 

 The requirements for Certification as an NBME Diplomate include:

• Passing the first Part or Step before January 1, 1995*. 
• Receipt of the MD degree from a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME);
• Successful completion of Parts I, II, and III or USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3; or a combination of Part I or USMLE Step 1, Part II or USMLE Step 2, and Part III or USMLE Step 3; and
• Successful completion of one full year (twelve months) in a graduate medical education program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  Accredited internships in Canada are recognized as meeting this requirement.
• Passing a Part or Step within three attempts is routinely accepted. The NBME will consider the extraordinary circumstances pertaining to any additional administrations.

The NBME does not re-certify persons it has previously certified; the Certification does not expire.

* Based on the full implementation of the USMLE program in 1994, the NBME discontinued the NBME Certification Program for individuals with no passing history prior to January 1, 1995.