ABPN
Article-Based Continuing Certification (ABCC) Pathway
The ABCC Pathway is an ongoing professional journal article-based assessment activity designed as an optional alternative to the Continuing Certification Part III traditional 10-year recertification/CC examination. The ABCC Pathway option provides greater flexibility to ABPN diplomates for meeting their Continuing Certification Part III program requirement. The pathway option for continuing certification is available to all diplomates beginning with the 2022 ABPN assessments and exams.
The ABCC Pathway is the default option for all ABPN-administered specialties and subspecialties, except for Neurocritical Care, which will be added in 2025. Diplomates will be required to successfully complete a set of article exams for each of their certifications on an ongoing basis every 3-year block.
At the same time, the traditional Continuing Certification (CC) recertification examination will continue to be offered. The article assessments are accessed online thru the Physician Portal.
Latest ABCC News
Making the Change to the ABCC Pathway
ABPN provides resources both for diplomates who are new to the journal article-based assessment and those who have participated in the MOC Part III Pilot Project:
- Read our detailed Frequently Asked Questions document — your guide to the ABCC Pathway.
- Compare the ABCC Pathway to the traditional 10-year recertification/CC examination.
Timeline
- The article pathway option began in 2022 for all diplomates. Article exams need to be completed on an ongoing basis every 3-year CC block.
- Article pathway option available for all ABPN specialties and subspecialties in 2022.
- Diplomates already in the CC program, will automatically transition to a 2022-2024 block of requirements and have until 12/15/2024 to complete the first set of article exams.
- Diplomates who are non-active or non-time limited (Lifetime) certificate holders should refer to the ABCC FAQs for more information.
Comprehensive FAQs -- Your Guide to the ABCC
View Frequently Asked Questions about these topics:
- Overview and Design
- Exam Materials
- Eligibility
- Rollout/Transition Schedule
- Diplomates with Multiple Certifications
- Non-Active or Non-Time Limited (Lifetime) Certificate Holders
- Multi-Disciplinary Specialties (MDS)
- Continuing Certification Requirements
- Fees
- Scoring and Performance Feedback
- Technical Aspects
Read the full Frequently Asked Questions document.
Using the ABCC Portal
- Written instructions and an instructional video are available to assist diplomates with the online ABCC portal.
- A sample article and related questions for psychiatry, neurology, child neurology and child and adolescent psychiatry certifications are also available for review.
- Computer system or platform requirements for ABCC:
- The following browsers are recommended for PC users: Chrome 65+ or Firefox 59+. The following browsers are recommended for Mac users: Chrome 65+ or Safari 11.
Topic Categories and Journal Articles
- View the specialty and subspecialty topic categories and journal articles available for the ABCC.
- Journal article lists are available in the “Access Article Exams” section of the Physician Portal.
- Diplomates are invited to submit professional journal articles for possible inclusion within the Article Based Continuing Certification (ABCC) Pathway.
Approved by the ABMS
In October 2020, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved the ABPN Article Assessment Pathway as a permanent alternative to the 10-year Continuing Certification (CC) examination. See our announcement for more information.
Announcement Archive
See our ABCC Pathway announcement for more information.
Read details on the ABCC Pathway and other changes for 2021/2022.
Policies for Applicants with Disabilities are located on the Board Policies page.