Transition to C-Cert
When does C-cert begin?
There will be transitional continuing medical education (CME) reporting requirements in 2019. C-cert officially begins January 1, 2020. All current UCNS diplomates who meet the transition criteria will automatically be enrolled in the C-cert process.
Why is UCNS phasing out the 10-year certificate?
We listened to our diplomates. Advances in medicine are ongoing and change happens quickly. The previous 10-year, time-limited certification cycle did not provide a timely assessment that diplomates were staying up to date on the latest science, treatments, and therapeutics relating to their subspecialty. C-cert is designed to be more convenient, flexible, current, and practice-related. The goal is to support diplomates in improving the care they provide, while upholding the high standards of UCNS certification. Supported by the findings of a 2017 UCNS diplomate survey, the C-cert model was preferred over the previous high-stakes recertification examination model.
Why isn't UCNS C-cert being offered as a pilot program?
The UCNS reviewed 13 different C-cert pilot programs during the development process of the UCNS program. The C-cert process being launched by the UCNS meets the life-long learning and assessment criteria of many American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) pilot programs but is scaled to meet the unique needs of the UCNS and its diplomates while maintaining respected certification standards. Due to the size of the UCNS subspecialties, running pilot programs concurrently with the former program are not financially or administratively possible. The UCNS is committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of the new C-cert process and will seek ongoing feedback from its diplomates.
My certificate states my UCNS certification is valid until the year I am due for recertification under the previous 10-year certification cycle. Why do I need to participate in C-cert?
Effective in 2020, all UCNS diplomates who meet the requirements under the C-cert transition plan have their certification status updated to reflect compliance with the new C-cert requirements. Once the transitional and first year C-cert requirements are met, diplomates will receive a new certificate that shows there is no expiration date. The status of all diplomate certifications will be updated annually and readily available on the UCNS website for verification by the medical community and patients.
Are there fees for C-cert?
Beginning in January 2020, diplomates will pay an annual fee as part of their C-cert requirements. The annual $175 administrative fee is used to offset the cost of administering the C-cert process. Diplomates can pay online by signing into the UCNS website and navigating to their profile page. With the smaller annual fee, versus the large recertification examination fee, diplomates will find it easier to budget other life-long learning opportunities relative to their subspecialty and practice.