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Earn your certification through a series of exams: BASIC, ADVANCED and APPLIED.
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Prepare for certification exams through a variety of training options.
About
Setting standards and leading innovation for the practice of anesthesiology since 1938
ASPEX subspecialty examinations are available to ABA diplomates who are not meeting the MOCA performance standard in the year their certification expires and to physicians of other collaborating member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
The ABA will notify diplomates via email of their eligibility for ASPEX.
The ASPEX-CCM Examination is a four-hour computer-based exam that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, each with a single best answer. All 200 questions must be answered. The exam is designed to evaluate the diplomate’s knowledge and clinical judgment in all areas specific to critical care medicine.
Sample Questions
The ASPEX-PM Examination is a four-hour computer-based exam that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, each with a single best answer. All 200 questions must be answered. The exam is designed to evaluate the diplomate’s knowledge and clinical judgment in all areas specific to pain medicine.
The ASPEX-PA Examination is a four-hour computer-based exam that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, each with a single best answer. All 200 questions must be answered. The exam is designed to evaluate the diplomate’s knowledge and clinical judgment in all areas specific to pediatric anesthesiology.
After submitting your registration form, we will send you information on how to submit the required registration fee via your ABA GO portal and schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
If you are interested in taking the ASPEX, send a request for a registration form to exams@theaba.org. Once we process your registration, we will send you information on how to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.
The ASPEX registration fee is $800*, which must be paid electronically to the American Board of Anesthesiology. All payments are nonrefundable. If you are unable to take the exam within your chosen window, you must mail a written request to cancel your exam along with a check for the $500 cancellation fee to: The American Board of Anesthesiology Attn: Credentialing, 4200 Six Forks Rd., Suite 1100, Raleigh, NC 27609-2687.
*ASPEX fee: $1,000 beginning with 2026 exam
