A survey of physicians (n=113) participating in a statewide program for child abuse evaluations was conducted in the summer of 1993, with 78 percent participation. Knowledge scores were derived from the survey based on comparison to the responses of a panel of five experts. Several areas of inadequate knowledge were found, including assessment of chlamydia infection, Tanner staging, and documentation of historical and physical exam findings. Factors associated with better knowledge scores were physician participation in continuing medical education and specialization in pediatrics. In addition, variations in presentation of the data affected physician judgment. There were several areas of knowledge that require improvement for clinical knowledge. These included objective/research-based knowledge and knowledge based on expert opinion/experience. In addition, there was inadequate knowledge about the need to document when and where an alleged event occurred, whether the people involved were dressed, the technique used for the genital exam, and the Tanner stage of the child. Study limitations are identified and discussed. 4 figures and 16 references