Board certification in Clinical Informatics through the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) costs $2,650 in board fees for an on-time applicant: a $500 application fee plus a $2,150 exam fee. After you pass, an annual continuing certification fee applies. Prep materials and travel come on top.
Fees and dates change each cycle, so always confirm on the ABPM dates and fees page before you apply. The figures below were checked against ABPM's published pages in October 2026.
ABPM fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $500 |
| Late application fee | $1,000 |
| Examination fee | $2,150 |
| Continuing Certification Program (CCP) annual fee | $150 to $200 per certificate, depending on when you pay |
Source: ABPM dates and fees and ABPM CCP.
The late fee is the one to avoid. Applying in the late window costs $500 more than the regular application fee. ABPM's page does not spell out whether the late fee replaces the application fee or is charged on top of it, so ask ABPM if you end up in the late window.
Continuing certification. For 2026, ABPM's CCP fee is $150 per certificate if paid January 1 to March 31, rising to $200 if paid July 1 to December 31, with a $150 late fee after December 31. Diplomates also complete the Longitudinal Assessment Program and CME requirements. See our guide to Clinical Informatics MOC and the LAP.
2027 ABPM timeline
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | March 10, 2027 |
| Application closes | June 30, 2027 |
| Late application window | July 1 to July 15, 2027 |
| Exam registration deadline | September 10, 2027 |
| Last day to withdraw | September 24, 2027 |
| Exam window | October 11 to October 31, 2027 |
Source: ABPM dates and fees. ABPM lists these as its general certification dates for 2027. Confirm the Clinical Informatics schedule on the ABPM Clinical Informatics page when the cycle opens.
For reference, the 2026 exam ran October 12 to November 1, 2026, with registration open May 20 to September 11, 2026 (ABPM exam administration). The exam is taken at Pearson VUE test centers.
If you certify through pathology
Pathologists certify in Clinical Informatics through the American Board of Pathology (ABPath), not ABPM. The exam is the same, but you apply through ABPath and pay ABPath's fee, listed at $2,100 for the subspecialty exam. ABPath's 2026 application deadline was May 15, 2026, and it has said its 2027 Clinical Informatics dates will be announced later (ABPath dates and fees).
The full cost, beyond board fees
Board fees are only part of the budget. Typical additional costs:
- A review textbook. The Clinical Informatics Study Guide (Finnell and Dixon, 2nd edition) is the most common one.
- A board review course. Optional, and the most expensive single item for many candidates.
- A question bank. Practice questions are the most efficient way to find and fix weak domains.
- Travel to a Pearson VUE test center, and possibly a night in a hotel if none is close.
- Time off in the final weeks, which for many physicians is the largest real cost.
Ask your employer early. Many health systems cover board fees and review materials for physicians in informatics roles, especially CMIO and physician informaticist positions.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Apply in the regular window. The late window costs $500 more.
- Pass the first time. A retake means paying again and waiting another year for the next October window. With pass rates in the mid 70s in recent years (see the data), solid preparation is also the cheapest strategy.
- Pay the CCP fee early in the year to get the lower rate.
- Use an affordable question bank for most of your practice instead of stacking several expensive products.
Practice without the price tag
CliniQuiz has a large ABPM Clinical Informatics question bank covering all five exam domains, with explanations for every option and an AI tutor. You can try five questions free, without creating an account.
Next, read how to study for the Clinical Informatics boards for a month-by-month plan.
