This status is intended for diplomates who no longer treat patients or hold hospital privileges. If you are working in an administrative position, research capacity, or retired, you may be classified as Clinically Inactive. You must attest that you are not actively participating in any direct patient management.
Requirements for Certified-Clinically Inactive Part I – You must maintain a full and unrestricted medical license and a Clinically Inactive Evaluation Form must be submitted from two supervisors or peers who are familiar with your non-clinical activities and can attest to your ethical and professional status. Part II – Acquiring new knowledge and skills is at the core of the Continuing Certification program. The ABCRS utilizes a longitudinal assessment model to foster growth and learning. The longitudinal assessments have replaced the requirement of self-assessment CME credits, but you are still required to document 40 Category I 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. Link to Part II Lifelong Learning page in Continuing Certification. Part III – ABCRS utilizes a longitudinal assessment model using the CertLink platform. Designed for flexibility in the face of life emergencies, life events, and long-term breaks, all Diplomates must participate in CertLink. Link to Part III page Part IV – Practice Assessment is no longer required.
Any inquiry received by the ABCRS as to your certification status will specify that you are considered clinically inactive and that this status is intended only for diplomates who do not have any involvement in patient management.
If you decide to change your status and return to active practice, you must first develop a reentry plan with your institution’s credentialing office for approval by the ABCRS. You will be required to submit information regarding your return to clinical activity, including plans for monitoring and evaluation during the reentry process, and fulfill additional requirements based on your particular circumstances.
For more information, download our CLINICALLY INACTIVE EVALUATION FORM 
Unethical and unprofessional behavior is denoted by any dishonest behavior, including: cheating; lying; falsifying information; misrepresenting one’s educational background, certification status and/or professional experience; and failure to report misconduct. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy toward these behaviors, and individuals caught exhibiting such behaviors risk being permanently barred from certification, reported to state medical boards, and/or legally prosecuted for copyright or other violations.
Unethical behavior is specifically defined by the ABCRS to include the disclosure, publication, reproduction or transmission of ABCRS examinations, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purposes. This also extends to sharing examination information or discussing an examination while still in progress. Unethical behavior also includes the possession, reproduction or disclosure of materials or information, including examination questions or answers or specific information regarding the content of the examination, before, during or after the examination. This definition specifically includes the recall and reconstruction of examination questions by any means and such efforts may violate federal copyright law. All ABCRS examinations are copyrighted and protected by law; the ABCRS will prosecute violations to the full extent provided by law and seek monetary damages for any loss of examination materials.
