Physicians who have completed pediatric emergency medicine fellowship training and meet eligibility requirements must formally apply before they can take the Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) board exam. The registration process ensures that candidates meet all certification criteria and allows the certifying boards to verify training, licensure, and professional qualifications.
The Pediatric Emergency Medicine certification exam is jointly administered by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Depending on a physician’s primary specialty certification, candidates apply through the appropriate board to begin the registration process.
Understanding how to register for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine board exam—including application requirements, documentation, and timing—can help candidates avoid delays and ensure they are eligible to sit for the exam when it is offered. For a broader overview of the certification process, see the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Board Exam Guide.
Candidates apply for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine board exam through the certifying board associated with their primary specialty.
Physicians who are board-certified in pediatrics typically apply through the American Board of Pediatrics. Physicians whose primary certification is in emergency medicine generally apply through the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
Because pediatric emergency medicine is a jointly administered subspecialty, the eligibility criteria for certification were developed collaboratively by both boards.
Candidates who hold certification in both pediatrics and emergency medicine may apply through either board.
Before submitting an application, candidates should confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine board exam.
These requirements typically include:
Eligibility verification is an important part of the registration process because the certifying board must confirm that each candidate has successfully completed the training required for subspecialty certification.
Candidates should ensure that all documentation from their training program has been submitted before beginning the application.
During the registration process, candidates may be asked to provide several types of documentation to verify eligibility.
Common documentation requirements include:
The certifying board typically works directly with fellowship program directors to confirm that candidates have completed the required training and demonstrated satisfactory performance during fellowship.
Physicians can usually apply for the pediatric emergency medicine certification exam after completing fellowship training or when they are close to finishing their training.
In many cases, candidates who expect to complete fellowship shortly before the exam date may still be allowed to apply during the registration window. Final eligibility is confirmed once training is successfully completed and verified by the program director.
Because the exam is not offered every year, candidates should monitor application deadlines carefully and begin the registration process well before the application period closes.
Once the application is approved, candidates receive confirmation that they are eligible to sit for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine board exam.
Candidates typically receive additional information from the certifying board about exam scheduling, testing procedures, and exam-day policies.
Most delays in registering for the pediatric emergency medicine board exam occur when eligibility documentation is incomplete or verification from fellowship programs has not yet been submitted.
Candidates can typically apply once they have completed accredited fellowship training or are close to completing their training.
Physicians apply through the board associated with their primary certification—either the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
Candidates may need to provide documentation verifying fellowship completion, board certification, medical licensure, and scholarly activity during fellowship.
In some cases, candidates nearing completion of fellowship may apply during the registration window, provided their program director verifies successful completion before the exam date.
Once registration is complete, most candidates turn their focus to preparing for the exam.
See Creating a Study Plan for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Boards, which outlines strategies that physicians commonly use to organize their preparation and review the most important exam topics efficiently.
How can you prepare for the PEM Exam? Med-Challenger Pediatric Emergency Medicine Boards Prep