Regulatory Requirements | 11.02.21
ABMS Releases New Standards for Continuing Certification
By Molly Giammarco, MPP
On October 29, 2021, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Board of Directors approved new Standards for Continuing Certification that the ABMS Member Boards will use to facilitate their diplomate continuing certification programs. The new Standards provide guidance and protocols on the methods and timelines that ABMS and its Member Boards use to administer continuing certification. Each individual Member Boards will be announce detailed communications on the programs derived from these Standards for their diplomates and stakeholders in the future.
The new standards represent three years of discussions and consultations with stakeholder groups such as physicians, professional and state medical societies, consumers and others healthcare entities on best practices for administering specialty physician recertification. The ABMS also based the new Standards of the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission's recommendations and strategic guidance.
In April 2021, ABMS announced an 80-day public-comment period for the draft Standards and in June 2021, held a focus group session with NAMSS leaders on the proposed Standards.
Some highlights from the new Standards include:
3. Assessment of Certification Status: Member Boards must set intervals of up to five years to determine whether a diplomate meets continuing certification requirements to retain certificates.
6. Regaining Certification: Member Boards must create a defined process for regaining certification if a diplomate loses certification from not meeting a participation or performance standard.
16. Sharing Aggregated Data to Address Specialty-Based Gaps: Member Boards must assess performance data derived from their continuing certification program to identify gaps.
Professional Standing and Conduct
The new Standards include a Professional Standing and Conduct clause to ensure that diplomates execute their clinical roles ethically, professionally and safely. The Standards defines “professional standing” in instances with a workplace behavior measurement as “the absence of actions by regulatory authorities that signify a breach of professional norms.”
Background on the American Board of Medical Specialties
AMBS establishes the standards its 24 Member Boards use to develop and implement educational and assessment programs used in the certification of diplomate specialists. The new Draft Standards reflect foundational changes to the manner in which ABMS and its Member Boards deliver on their mission, bringing value to both the profession and the public at large. They were developed after a year of deliberation with key stakeholders in response to the recommendations of the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission as well as of the wider stakeholder community.
Please contact Molly Giammarco, NAMSS Policy & Government Relations, with any questions.