Free Practice Questions for ABPath Clinical Informatics

The ABPath Clinical Informatics exam is a joint subspecialty certification co-sponsored by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) and the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). It validates expertise in using information technology to improve individual and population health outcomes. Content includes clinical decision support, EHR/LIS/PACS integration, interoperability standards (HL7 v2, FHIR, CDA), terminologies (SNOMED CT, LOINC), data analytics, machine learning in pathology, and regulatory topics (HIPAA, HITECH, 21st Century Cures Act, CLIA).

The exam is a one-day, computer-based examination of approximately 200 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions over roughly 4 hours. It is administered via ABPM at Pearson VUE Professional Test Centers. The 2026 ABPath CI exam window runs October 12 – November 1, 2026, which differs from the other ABPath subspecialty exams (September 8 – September 28).

The exam uses a criterion-referenced passing standard set by the Clinical Informatics Test Committee through a modified Angoff standard-setting process. Score reports provide pass/fail plus diagnostic performance by content domain. Because scores are criterion-referenced rather than curved, candidates are measured against a fixed content-expert standard rather than against each other.

ABPath candidates must (1) hold primary ABPath certification in AP, CP, or AP/CP; (2) complete an ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship (typically 24 months) OR qualify through the Practice Pathway (open through May 15, 2026) or Non-Accredited Fellowship Pathway (open through May 15, 2028); and (3) maintain an active, unrestricted medical license. Simultaneous training with another ACGME pathology subspecialty fellowship is allowed with prior ABPath approval (Pathway A or B).

The 2026 ABPath subspecialty certification fee is $2,100, which includes a non-refundable $200 administrative fee. Candidates registering through ABPM pay the fee set by ABPM, which differs. The application window is February 16 – May 15, 2026, with exam scheduling opening in July 2026. Pearson VUE may charge a separate test-center seat fee in some regions.

Yes. Clinical Informatics is a joint and equal certification of ABPath and the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). Both boards share the same exam content, test committee, and passing standard. Candidates apply through their primary board: ABPath applicants apply through ABPath, while physicians from other specialties (Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, IM, Peds, etc.) apply through ABPM. The resulting certificate is equivalent.

Health information systems (~30%) is the largest domain — master HL7 v2 message structure, FHIR resources (Patient, Observation, DiagnosticReport), IHE profiles (PIX/PDQ, XDS), DICOM-WG26 for digital pathology, synoptic pathology reporting (CAP eCC protocols), and integration engine architecture. Clinical decision making (~25%) requires mastery of the CDS five rights (right information, right person, right format, right channel, right time), alert fatigue mitigation, and order set governance. Fundamentals (~20%) emphasizes terminology differences (SNOMED CT = clinical concepts, LOINC = observations/labs, RxNorm = medications, ICD-10-CM = billing). Data analytics (~15%) and regulation (~10%) cover machine learning validation, FDA SaMD pathway, HIPAA Privacy/Security Rules, and 21st Century Cures Act information blocking.

Use a 6-12 month structured plan during or after your Clinical Informatics fellowship. Start with fundamentals — terminology standards (SNOMED CT, LOINC, ICD-10-CM, RxNorm) and HL7 message structure — then move to health information systems (EHR/LIS/PACS architecture, FHIR/IHE/DICOM), CDS design and the five rights, workflow and human factors. Cover data governance, NLP, ML in pathology (CNN validation, FDA SaMD), and the regulatory landscape (HIPAA, HITECH, 21st Century Cures Act, CLIA). Review the ABPath Content Specifications and ABPM Clinical Informatics Content Outline. Complete thousands of practice questions and take at least two timed full-length practice exams.