Beginning in 2012, any physician who does not successfully pass the Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) exam within the three calendar years following the year in which he or she completes residency training will be required to satisfy the MC-FP entry process in order to take the exam and gain initial certification status.

In addition, any physician who has been previously certified, and has never entered the MC-FP process, must complete the MC-FP re-entry process in order to take the exam and regain certification status.

MC-FP Entry and Re-entry requirements:

• 50 MC-FP points (including at least one Part II and one Part IV activity)
• 150 CME credits
• Successful completion of the MC-FP examination
• A valid, full, and unrestricted license

If a physician does not anticipate being able to complete the MC-FP requirements for entry/re-entry by the deadline to clear application deficiencies, he or she should wait until the next exam period to apply. Once a physician starts the entry/re-entry process, however, all components must be completed within three years. Otherwise, the process must be restarted.

For questions regarding MC-FP entry and re-entry requirements, contact the American Board of Family Medicine Support Center at 877-223-7437.