Free Practice Questions for ABMM

D(ABMM) — Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology — is a doctoral-level certification awarded by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) that validates expertise to direct a clinical microbiology laboratory. CLIA '88 recognizes D(ABMM) as a qualified high-complexity laboratory director in 12 U.S. states. The credential is held primarily by PhDs but is open to MDs, DOs, DVMs, DDS/DMDs, and DrPHs who meet the eligibility pathways.

Candidates must hold an earned doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, DVM, DDS/DMD, or DrPH) and meet one of three experience pathways: (1) at least 3 years of post-doctoral experience in medical/clinical microbiology, (2) completion of a 2-year ASM CPEP-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in medical and public health microbiology, or (3) completion of an ACGME-accredited Medical Microbiology fellowship. The ABMM credentialing committee reviews each application before exam registration is permitted.

The ABMM exam is a 6-hour computer-based test of 200 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions delivered in a single session. The content blueprint covers Bacteriology (~25%), Virology (~12%), Mycology (~10%), Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (~10%), Mycobacteriology (~7%), Parasitology (~7%), Molecular Diagnostics (~15%), and Laboratory Administration (~14%). Pass status is criterion-referenced via the modified Angoff method; the average item difficulty target is approximately 0.70.

The application fee is $450 for ASM members and $575 for non-members, paid at submission and nonrefundable. If the credentialing committee approves the application, candidates pay an additional $400 exam registration fee before scheduling. Total first-attempt cost is approximately $850 (member) or $975 (non-member). Continuing Maintenance Program (CMP) fees apply every 3 years to maintain the credential.

ABMM (D(ABMM)) is administered by ASM and is the doctoral-level credential primarily held by PhDs (open to all earned doctorates). ABPath Medical Microbiology is a subspecialty of the American Board of Pathology and is restricted to MDs/DOs who hold ABPath AP/CP or CP primary certification plus a 12-month ACGME Medical Microbiology fellowship. Both qualify the holder to direct a clinical microbiology lab; ABMM is the more common path for non-physician scientists.

Yes. CLIA '88 explicitly recognizes D(ABMM) certification as qualifying a doctoral-level scientist to serve as a high-complexity clinical laboratory director in 12 states. State-specific licensure (e.g., New York Clinical Laboratory Technology Certificate of Qualification, California Laboratory Field Services) may impose additional requirements on top of D(ABMM).

Bacteriology (~25%) and Molecular Diagnostics (~15%) together cover 40% of the exam — master CLSI M100 breakpoint interpretation, ESBL/AmpC/carbapenemase detection (mCIM, CarbaNP), MRSA cefoxitin screen, vanA/vanB VRE, MALDI-TOF identification, multiplex syndromic panels (BioFire FilmArray), 16S rRNA sequencing applications, and FDA-cleared vs LDT validation. Lab Administration (~14%) is heavily weighted — know CLIA, CAP, ISO 15189, biosafety levels, and antimicrobial stewardship deeply.

Plan a 6-12 month focused review during or immediately after a CPEP/ACGME fellowship or ABMM-eligible directed practice. Work through the ASM Manual of Clinical Microbiology cover-to-cover, study the current CLSI M100/M24/M27/M38/M60 standards, complete thousands of board-style questions, and take at least two timed full-length 200-question mock exams. The ASM ABMM/CPEP study guide and the ASM Press 'Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook' are core references.