Board of Internal Medicine Issues 371 Indeterminate Scores
Technical login errors caused scores to be invalidated for physicians testing on August 13.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Job Search
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The American Board of Internal Medicine issued 371 indeterminate exam results on October 22 after software malfunctions caused widespread login delays on August 13, 2026. These technical errors prevented officials from confirming valid testing conditions.
Why it matters
The board determined that the login delays created too much uncertainty regarding candidate performance to provide a valid score. Affected physicians are now required to wait until the next exam cycle in 2027 to retest.
The American Board of Internal Medicine reported 371 indeterminate results for exams taken on August 13, 2026. This action follows reports of login delays that in some cases lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The players
American Board of Internal Medicine
This organization establishes the standards for the certification of internists and subspecialists in the United States.
The details
The issues stemmed from a software malfunction that prevented test-takers from logging back into computers after their scheduled breaks. While the board has provided full exam fee credits, they maintain the scores are invalidated due to the potential impact of the delays on examinee concentration.
Timeline
August 13, 2026: Login delays occurred for test-takers.
October 22, 2026: Test-takers received their indeterminate results.
December 1, 2026: Registration opens for the next exam.
August 2027: The next internal medicine board exam cycle.
Market Landscape
This disruption represents a significant administrative hurdle for the board's maintenance of certification requirements. It highlights the reliance of professional credentialing bodies on third-party software for high-stakes testing.
Affected physicians must navigate the professional setback of delayed certification and the need to re-enroll for a future testing window. The board has issued full exam fee credits to mitigate the financial burden on these test-takers.
The takeaway
Technical disruptions in high-stakes testing can create significant professional delays for credentialed workers. Candidates should document any testing environment irregularities immediately to support future fee reimbursement or administrative claims.
What happens next
Registration for the next board exam cycle opens on December 1, 2026, with the next testing window scheduled for August 2027.
Further reading
Find more information on professional credentialing and career development in the United States Job Search section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MedPage Today.
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