Maintenance of Certification
Diplomates must demonstrate compliance with the requirement for lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement.
Requirements
Diplomates are required to meet the following requirements for maintenance of certification every six years:
- Completion of the self-assessment exam, known as the Self-Study Recertification Program (SSRP). The SSRP is a self-assessment program rather than a pass/fail exam.
- Completion of at least 60 points of continuing education credit.
- Attestation of good-standing with all licensing boards and other governing agencies.
- $250 fee
For Diplomates Certified from May 2013 to Present
- Diplomates certified beginning May 2013 are awarded a time-limited certificate of six years.
- Diplomates must complete all maintenance of certification requirements in the sixth year of certification.
- If the maintenance of certification requirements are not met, the Diplomate will lose Diplomate status and will be required to begin the certification process again.
- A one-year extension period to complete the maintenance of certification requirements may be requested due to extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness. Requests will be reviewed and granted at the sole discretion of the ABP Directors.
For Diplomates Certified Prior to May 2013
- Diplomates certified prior to 2013 received certificates which are not time-limited.
- Diplomates certified prior to 2013 who fail to complete the maintenance of certification requirements will be placed on Inactive status.
- Diplomates placed on Inactive status may not claim to be Board Certified.
- A one-year extension period to complete the maintenance of certification requirements may be requested due to extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness. Requests will be reviewed and granted at the sole discretion of the ABP Directors.
Activity Points
Record-keeping and reporting of the accumulation of points remains the responsibility of the Diplomate. For each six-year maintenance of certification cycle, the Board requires Diplomates to sign a statement of attestation that all continuing education requirements have been met.
60-Point Criteria for Continuing Education Credits (required every six years):
- Activities of one-half (½) Day or shorter will earn one-half (½) point;
- One (1) point may be counted for activities longer than a half-day, up to a full day.
- Points may be accumulated in the following ways:
| POINTS | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 7 | Attendance at the American Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting |
| 5 | Attendance at a national or international multiple day meetings that are within the scope of periodontics |
| 2 | Completion in the year Diplomate Recertification is due of ABP Self Study Recertification Program (SSRP) |
| 2 (per day) | Attendance at Regional or Local Meetings either National or International devoted to topics within the scope of periodontics* |
| 2 (per day) | Attendance at conferences related to topics within the scope of periodontics, sponsored by a university or the American Academy of Periodontology |
| 2 (per day) | 4+ hrs. courses taken applicable to topics within the scope of periodontics Courses taken under 4 hrs. receive (1) point per day |
| 4 | 4+hrs.courses presented applicable to topics within the scope of periodontics Courses presented under 4 hrs. receive (2) points per day |
| 1 | Courses taken on-line related to topics within the scope of periodontics |
| 3 | Publication, as primary author, in: a) National and/or International Journal (those listed in Index of Dental Literature) b) Book Chapter(s) |
| 2 | Publication, as primary author in State Dental Journals |
| 1 | Publication, as secondary author |
| 1 (per day) | Teaching -- a maximum of fourteen points during a six-year period may be credited for teaching |
| *1 | One point may be counted for courses less than a full day. |
