Skip to content
Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Self-Assessment (SA)

ABPN diplomates must participate in ABPN-approved Self-Assessment (SA) activities relevant to their specialty or subspecialty.  Self-Assessment activities are a specific type of activity that assist physicians in recognizing their current knowledge base in order to identify specific topics for gaining further knowledge.

For diplomates in the Continuing Certification (CC) Program, the Self-Assessment requirement has been reduced from 24 SA-CME credits to 16 SA credits per three-year CC block.

Diplomates who successfully complete the ABCC Pathway during a current three-year CC block satisfy all 16 SA credit requirements for that block.  SA credit is not given for ABCC article exams completed in a previous three-year block.

Diplomates in the CC Examination pathway must earn 16 SA-CME credits per three-year block through the ABPN-approved, credit-bearing activities listed below or through other accepted activities, such as a peer-reviewed publication or grant submission.

Diplomates in the CC Examination pathway or diplomates who do not earn SA credit from successful completion of ABCC article exams in a current three-year block, must select Self-Assessment CME activities from one of the following options:

  • Choose SA-CME activities from the ABPN Approved CC Activities List, since not all Category 1 CME activities meet Self-Assessment activity requirements. Some professional societies offer their members ABPN-approved activities from this list at no or reduced cost.
  • Earn credit through up to two types of Non-CME Self-Assessment Activity Options.
    • Diplomates actively participating in the ABCC program cannot apply non-CME Self-Assessment options to their CC block because the program waives the maximum permitted 16 non-SA CME credits for each block.
    • Diplomates in the examination pathway must complete an approved non-CME Self-Assessment activity within the block for which they seek credit.
    • Complete Self-Assessment (Part II) activities through an international certification organization, such as RCPS-C, that meets ABPN CC requirements and submit them for preapproval.

ABPN Approved CC Activities List

Read our CC Booklet for more information.