Continuing Certification (CC) Program

Diplomates who have multiple certifications only need to complete one set of CC activity requirements (CME, SA, and PIP).  The activities can be in either a general specialty and/or subspecialty field.  Diplomates still must take and pass the CC exam for each certification or successfully complete the ABCC pathway article examinations.  If choosing the CC exam pathway, diplomates may opt to sit for a Combined CC exam.

A three-year block of C-MOC requirements (CME, SA, and PIP) will be waived for diplomates who graduated from an ACGME-accredited subspecialty fellowship training program, an ABPN-approved Triple Board, or an ABPN-approved Post Pediatrics Portal program in 2011 or later AND who pass the corresponding ABPN subspecialty exam. Diplomates will receive a three-year block MOC activity waiver for the current block they are in at the time of passing the subspecialty exam. Upon passing the subspecialty exam, diplomates will see the waiver reflected in their Physician Portal account. Diplomates are still required to pay the annual fee.

If a diplomate believes he/she is eligible for the credit, but did not receive notice of the credit waiver, he/she should contact the Board via questions@abpn.org.

Diplomates in the CC Program must attest to completed CC activities on an annual basis in their ABPN Physician Portal account ‘Activity Attestation’ section. Diplomates do not need to submit documentation to the Board unless they are audited. The ABPN Audit Guidelines for Diplomates document lists the documentation needed in the event of an audit. The Board recommends retaining documentation (certificates/transcripts) for ten years in the event of an audit.

No. CC activities must be completed during the current CC block. CC activities may not be counted or attested to future CC blocks.

Diplomates pay an annual fee in the CC program. This fee covers maintenance of board certification status, use of a personalized ABPN Physician Portal account with customized MOC tracker, and development and administrative costs of MOC examinations. Each annual fee payment will apply a 10% credit to a single MOC exam. Payment of the annual fee will cover one single MOC exam every ten years at no additional cost.

The current annual fee is $175. Payments are paid online in the Portal account 'Annual Fee' section.

The annual fee is non-refundable.

Diplomates need to satisfy all MOC requirements per three year block in order to maintain their certification status. A diplomate will be reported as “Certified- Not Meeting MOC Requirements” if he/she does not sign on to his/her ABPN Physician Portal account, pay the annual fee and attest to completed activity requirements by the end of a 3 year block. A diplomate may change his/her status to ‘Meeting MOC Requirements” by completing insufficient block activities, current block activities, and payment of all required fees.

A diplomate will be reported as “Not Certified” if he/she does not complete 6 years (2 blocks) of MOC activities. A diplomate may change his/her status back to “Certified –Meeting MOC requirements” upon successful completion of a block of MOC requirements and passing a MOC examination.