Part II – Life-Long Learning & Self-Assessment

During the transition to the CertLink on-line assessment program, some Diplomates will be on the old three-year cycle while those who have started CertLink™ will now be on a five-year cycle.  If you are unsure of your status, please do not hesitate to contact the ABCRS Continuous Certification Coordinator Sherry Whitenburg at abcrsadmin@abcrs.org.

DIPLOMATES ENROLLED IN CERTLINK – 5 year cycle

Effective July 1, 2020, ABCRS is offering up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ per year (40 total credits over a 5 year period) for successfully completing the Quarterly CertLink Assessment with a passing score of 70%.  These AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ are in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through a joint providership with ASCRS (See Statements and Disclosures).  Diplomates are able to claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of participation of this activity (2.5 credits per quarter) and are required to complete the CertLink End-of-the-Year Survey in order to claim the CME credits.   Additionally, the current Continuous Certification requirement of 90 Category 1 CME credits will now be changed to 40 Category 1 CME Credits every five years with no self-assessment required.

DIPLOMATES NOT YET ENROLLED IN CERTLINK – 3 year cycle

Diplomates not yet enrolled in CertLink will continue under the current MOC platform and guidelines until entering CertLink.  The timing of the last certification determines the CertLink enrollment date (See Enrollment Grid) .  If you are interested in enrolling in CertLink prior to your scheduled date, please contact the office at certlink@abcrs.org.

• Completion of 90 Category 1 CME Credits
• 50 of the 90 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ must include self-assessment)

Self-assessment is a written or electronic question-and-answer exercise that assesses the surgeon’s understanding of the material presented in the CME program.  CARSEP and/or SESAP are suggested self- assessment material items.  However, any approved CME credit that provides self-assessment greater than 75% or passing score (including CME components for MOL) will be accepted for Part II.

• The ASCRS CARSEP Program is available for purchase from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.  For more information, call the ASCRS at 847-290-9184.

• The ACS SESAP Program is available for purchase by visiting facs.org/education/sesap or by calling the American College of Surgeons at 800-251-3775 or 312-202-5474.

ALL DIPLOMATES

Non Self-Assessment Category 1 CME Credits

Continuous Certification Part II requirements include 40 non self- assessment Category 1 CME Credits.  These CME activities are formal educational experiences accredited by the AMA or ACCME. These may include seminars, conferences, grand rounds, webinars, podcasts, skills courses and departmental scientific meetings. CME courses completed to meet state licensing requirements and on topics such as ethics, patient safety, etc., are acceptable.

Copies of the CMEs and Self-Assessment(s) are not required at this time; however, the documentation is subject to audit to assure its validity and reliability.

For additional CME RESOURCES.

How to document Part II requirements in your ABCRS profile.