In-Training Examination

ABEM develops and administers an In-training Examination (ITE) annually to Emergency Medicine residency programs. Programs are not required to participate in this exam.

The primary purpose of the ABEM In-training Examination is to provide an estimate of the likelihood that a resident will be able to pass the Qualifying Examination. The ITE targets the expected knowledge and experience of an EM3 resident. The exam is not designed for program evaluation, and the results should not be used to compare programs or residents across programs.

Quick Facts

• Exclusively online format
• Administered over a multi-day testing window
• Each resident can be scheduled for one session during the multi-day testing window.
• All participating sites are required to meet the minimum systems requirements check

Registration and Requirements

• Physicians enrolled in EM residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) 
• Physicians enrolled in ABEM-approved EM/Anesth, EM/FM, EM/IM, EM/IM/CCM, and EM/Peds combined training programs
• Physicians who have advance-matched into an ACGME-accredited EM program

ITE participation requires attestation from the program director during the annual resident survey. Registration for residents begins in December. See the Policy on ITE Accessibility for more information regarding eligibility.

The program’s ACGME accreditation decision must be made on or before November 1 of the year prior to the exam administration in order for its residents to be eligible to take the ITE. Program directors and authorized faculty of participating programs can access ITE registration information through the ABEM website in early December. Participating residency programs must pay the examination fee for each resident registered to take the ITE. ABEM does not communicate directly with residents in this process.