American Board of Dermatology Continuing Certification Program Updates and Requirements

Conclusions

• The research presented concludes that the American Board of Dermatology’s continuing certification process was successfully simplified into a streamlined, mostly CertLink-based system with fewer administrative burdens.
• It concludes that active participation in CertLink is the key determinant of success, since more than 99% of diplomates who participate pass the knowledge component.
• The presentation concludes that the new passing standard for CertLink is 73%, and that this standard is criterion-based rather than designed to force a fixed failure rate.
• It concludes that the new dashboard and quarterly feedback make progress easier to monitor and should help diplomates stay on track in real time.
• The presentation concludes that most diplomates will likely maintain certification without difficulty if they keep up with quarterly participation, annual fees, and practice improvement requirements.
• It concludes that the most common reason for failure or lapse is not poor performance but nonparticipation or missed administrative requirements.
• The presentation concludes that the year-five catch-up exam provides a backup pathway for those who do not meet the cumulative passing standard, but failure or refusal to take it leads to certification lapse.
• It concludes that the practice improvement requirement is viewed favorably by participants, with high proportions rating it relevant and recommending it to colleagues.