Candidates who have completed the training requirements as outlined are eligible to apply for examination by the Board. Candidates may request an Application for Certification Form from the office of the Executive Director of the Board. However, for those candidates who are completing their residency training, application forms will be sent to the program directors for distribution to each candidate. The completed application must be filed with the Board office before March 1st of the year in which the candidate plans to take the examination. Physicians who complete their residency training in dermatology by July 1, 2004 are eligible to apply to take the examination in August 2004. Under the special conditions described under Guidelines for Determining Adequacy of Clinical Training , candidates completing additional (make-up) training before September 1 may also be eligible to apply to take the certifying examination. It is emphasized that it is the candidate's responsibility to send a completed application form to the Board if he or she plans to take the certifying examination of the Board.

A candidate is not considered an "active" candidate until his or her application has been received and approved by the Board. This approval includes a review of the application and annual evaluation reports from the candidate's training director. After the application is approved, the candidate is required to take the examination within two years. Candidates who do not exercise the examination privilege within two years of the date that they are declared eligible will be required to file a new application and have their eligibility for examination reviewed by the Requirements Committee. If the reapplication is approved by the Board, the candidate is again eligible to take the examination for another two-year period. It should be noted that candidates who have had an extended lapse in clinical practice or in other activities related to dermatology may be required to submit evidence of their continued involvement with the specialty of dermatology.

The Board does not use the term "Board- eligible" in corresponding with directors of hospitals or others who send inquiries to the Board office. On written request by a candidate, the Board will send to the candidate a letter stating his or her status with the Board at any given time.