Dermatology Boards - by American Board of Dermatology

Since August 2007 the certifying examination in dermatology has been administered in a single day, comprised of three sections:

Examination in Dermatopathology: In this section, candidates are questioned on 36 glass histopathologic slides that they examine on microscopes provided by the Board. This section of the examination encompasses the entire spectrum of dermatopathology
Written Multiple Choice Examination in Dermatology: This 132-question section tests the candidate's knowledge of the basic science and clinical aspects of dermatology, including all the related disciplines. Among the topics included in this part of the examination are clinical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, preventive dermatology, entomology, epidemiology, dermatopathology, cutaneous allergy and immunology, dermatologic surgery, cutaneous oncology, sexually transmitted diseases, internal medicine as it pertains to dermatology, medical ethics, photobiology and cutaneous microbiology as well as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, radiation therapy, physical therapy, pharmacology, genetics, and electron microscopy as related to dermatology. Considerable emphasis is placed on comprehensive knowledge of the literature.
Image-associated Examination in Clinical, Laboratory, and Surgical Dermatology: 160 projected digital images are utilized in this part of the examination. Candidates must answer multiple choice type questions about the projected pictorial material, which is drawn from all areas of clinical, laboratory and surgical dermatology.

Examples of the types of images used include photographs of patients, diagrams and illustrative drawings and pictures of histopathologic sections, bacterial cultures, Tzanck preparations, skin scrapings and smears, roentgenograms, histochemical and fluorescent photo-micrographs, electron micrographs, darkfield micrographs and drawings or photographs of organisms, including viruses, rickettsiae, bacteria and parasites that affect the skin.
Candidates must answer multiple choice type questions about the projected pictorial material covering dermatologic surgical areas including, but not limited to, Mohs micrographic surgery, hair transplantation, dermabrasion, sclerotherapy, liposuction, chemical peels, tissue augmentation, and anatomy as it relates to dermatologic surgery.

The results of the examination are reported as a single Pass/Fail score. Unsuccessful candidates will be required to repeat the entire examination.