Non-CME Self-Assessment Activity Options – Not applicable for active ABCC Participants

ABPN is not a CME provider. While non-CME Self-Assessment waiver options on the lists below contribute to the Self-Assessment requirement of the ABPN CC Program, they are NOT recognized by state medical licensing boards as Category-1 CME credits.

ABPN Diplomates actively participating in the ABCC pathway and who successfully pass all required article assessments, will not be able to apply any of the options below in addition to the current waiver of 16 Self-Assessment CME credits obtained during their CC blocks.

The ABPN may waive eight Self-Assessment CME credits through completion of specific non-CME Self-Assessment activities. A maximum of 16 Self-Assessment CME credits may be waived per CC block with two different types of non-CME Self-Assessment activities (see below) or for successful completion of the CC Part III Pilot Project or the Article-Based Continuing Certification (ABCC) Pathway.

Diplomates must complete the approved non-CME Self-Assessment activity during the current 3-year block for which they are earning non-CME Self-Assessment credit.

Eight Self-Assessment CME credits will be waived for EACH of the following activity options:

These options require no preapproval by the ABPN:

Passing an ABPN certification or CC exam within the current CC block if you are not participating in ABCC with any other certifications;
Peer-reviewed journal article that has the status of ‘Indexed for MEDLINE’ on the MEDLINE database. See psychiatry and neurology article examples;
Participate in an approved registry such as the Axon Registry from the American Academy of Neurology or the PsychPRO Registry from the American Psychiatric Association. AAN announced the Axon Registry will close, effective June 1, 2024. ABPN will accept Axon registry participation during 2024 as credit toward the Continuing Certification (CC) program Part IV requirement for the CC block ending in 2024.

These options must be submitted to the ABPN at questions@abpn.org for preapproval:

Approved scientific grant application (funding not required), with documented peer review/feedback, formal approval letter and/or priority score statement (i.e. Summary Statement with priority score from NIH, etc.), and significant/major contribution to the grant writing. Fellowship Awards do not qualify for scientific grant credit;
Four hours of supervision from a supervisor or peer with written feedback about the diplomate’s clinical performance, medical knowledge and patient care;
- Supervision activity similar to faculty to resident peer supervision
- Involves diplomates presenting clinical cases to peer(s) and receiving detailed feedback on the care provided to specific patients
- Must be documented and signed by the supervisor
Formal institutional peer review committee with written feedback about the diplomate’s clinical performance, medical knowledge and patient care;
- Reviews the clinical care a diplomate provides patients and gives written feedback
- Keyed to review a specific medical condition or patient type
- Typically a chart review/QI process of diplomate clinical performance by a formal review committee at an institution.

Note: Item writing and teaching/supervision do not count as approved non-CME SA activities.

Diplomates are required to use only ABPN-Approved Self-Assessment activities. The ABPN will approve additional activities over time and reserves the right to approve or reject any course or guideline submitted for approval.

ABPN Approved CC Activities List

Read our CC Booklet for more information.