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REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUOUS CERTIFICATION

Continuous Certification is an evolving process.  The requirements outlined below will be modified as new learning and assessment tools are developed.    Diplomates who certified in 1990 or later are required to participate in the ABCRS Continuous Certification Program.

In 2018, ABCRS launched a new longitudinal assessment model delivered through the CertLink platform which has replaced the high-stakes Part III Cognitive Written Exam that was required  every 10 years.  At the time of CertLink enrollment, a diplomate must hold a certificate issued by ABCRS and should also be current on all other aspects of Continuous Certification including ABCRS annual fees, Part I, Part II and Part IV.  Expiration of a certificate will not disqualify a candidate from entering the CertLink process; however, the applicant can not claim certification in the interim.

DEFINITION OF “MEETING ABCRS CONTINUOUS CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS”

ABCRS Diplomates are “Meeting Continuous Certification Requirements” and not at risk of losing their certification, if the following components are completed by due date.

  • Annual ABCRS Continuous Certification Fee  (Due by December 31 each year)
  • Part I, II, and IV (Five-Year Cycle) to be completed by December 31, last year of cycle.
  • Part III (5-Year Cycle) – Recertify

REQUIREMENTS FOR DIPLOMATES CERTIFIED IN 1990 & AFTER

ABCRS Continuous Certification Timeline
MOC Year Suggested Required
Year 0
  • Diplomate initially certifies
  •  Annual Continuous Certification Fee Waived (Begins Year 2)
Cycle 1

Year 1
  • Certlink begins January 1
  •  Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31
  • 10-12 CertLink questions will be sent out Quarterly (the amount of questions given depend on how many are answered correctly)
Year 2
  •  Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31
  • 10-12 CertLink questions will be sent out Quarterly (the amount of questions given depends on how many are answered correctly)
Year 3
  • Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31
  • 10-12 CertLink questions will be sent out Quarterly (the amount of questions given depends on how many are answered correctly)
Year 4
  • Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31
  • 10-12 CertLink questions will be sent out Quarterly (the amount of questions given depends on how many are answered correctly)
Year 5
  • The fifth year of the cycle can be a year free of questions, or used to extend the cycle if life events intervene.  ABCRS understands that our Diplomates are people with busy lives and unexpected things happen.  CertLink is designed for flexibility for life emergencies, life events, and long-term breaks.  ABCRS must be contacted and appropriate documentation provided for the time away from the program. During the four remaining Quarters, Diplomates must particpate with an average score of 70% or higher (just as they did for the 10-year exam), turn in all Part I, II, and IV Certlink materials, and stay up-to-date with  Annual Continuous Certification Fees.
  •  Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31

The following are also due by Dec 31:

Part I:  Professional Standing

  • Verification of Full Licensure – Submit a copy of your medical license to the board office.
  • Staff Evaluation and Hospital Privileges  – Form is located inside of your MOC Profile.  Print and have your Chief of Staff or Chief of Surgery sign and e-mail/fax/mail to the Board office.

Part II: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Requirements

  • Complete 80  APA PRA Category I CME Credits every five years.  Enter on MOC  Profile Page.
  • 40 self-assessment  CMEs.   Effective July 1, 2020, diplomates enrolled in CertLink will now receive up to 40 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™  self-assessment credits over a 5-year period for successfully completing  the Continuous Certification Quarterly CertLink Assessment with a passing score of 70%.
  • 40 non self- assessment Category 1 CME Credits.

 

Part IV:  Evaluation of Performance in Practice 

  • Part IV of ABCRS Certlink requires ongoing participation in a  local, regional or national outcomes registry or quality assessment program every five years.  Enter on MOC Profile Page.

 
 Cycle 2

Year 1
  • CertLink begins January 1
  

  •  Annual Continuous Certification Fee Due by Dec 31
  • 10-12 CertLink questions will be sent out Quarterly (4 times per year)

CERTIFIED IN YEAR 1990 & AFTER

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) will report on its public website, www.certificationmatters.org whether or not ABCRS board-certified colon and rectal surgeons certified in 1990 or after are meeting Continuous Certification requirements.  The ABMS will serve as the central repository for the Continuous Certification status of diplomates from all 24 ABMS Member Boards, including ABCRS. Diplomates who are enrolled in CertLink and meeting all other Continuous Certification requirements will be reported to ABMS. Further clarification of a Diplomates status will be via a link to the certifying board’s website.

NONCOMPLIANCE & RE-ENTRY

All diplomates certified in 1990 or after must report to the ABCRS at five-year intervals to maintain their status, including a $500 annual Continuous Certification fee. Individuals who do not report by Dec. 31 or otherwise fail to meet all requirements are subject to losing their ABCRS certification and will be reported as “Not Meeting ABCRS Continuous Certification Requirements” on our website. Diplomates cannot recertify until all past due material requirements and fees fulfilled.

To re-enter the Continuous Certification process in the first year of noncompliance, diplomates must: (1) fulfill all Continuous Certification requirements up to that point; (2) pay a reinstatement fee of $500. Requirements and fees will increase with additional years of non-participation. Also see Re-Entry Policy on our website.

ABMS Guidelines

Certification Matters, and ultimately, the measure of physician specialists is not merely that they have been certified, but how well they keep current in their specialty. Beginning August 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) will report on its public website, www.certificationmatters.org whether or not ABCRS board-certified colon and rectal surgeons certified in 1990 or after are meeting Certlink  requirements.

That’s why in 2000, the 24 ABMS Member Boards agreed to evolve their recertification programs to one of continuous professional development – ABMS Maintenance of Certification ® (ABMS MOC®). ABMS Continuous Certification assures that the physician is committed to lifelong learning and competency in a specialty and/or sub specialty by requiring ongoing measurement of six core competencies adopted by ABMS and ACGME in 1999. Measurement of these competencies happens in a variety of ways, some of which vary according to the specialty. This is carried out by all Member Boards using a four-part process that is designed to keep certification continuous.

■          Part I         Licensure and Professional Standing

■          Part II        Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment

■          Part III       Cognitive Expertise

■          Part IV       Practice Performance Assessment