Continuous Certification - A commitment to lifelong learning

UCNS continuous certification provides diplomates with a relevant, effective, timely, and convenient way to meet the needs of lifelong learning and self-assessment.

Continuous Certification Requirements

General eligibility requirements for C-cert include:
  • Must possess an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine
  • Be a diplomate in good standing of the ABMS, AOA, or RCPSC
  • Pay $175 annual C-cert administrative fee
    • C-cert fees will be billed annually starting in January 2020
  • Read the annual designated subspecialty journal articles
    • C-cert articles will be posted annually starting in January 2020
  • Complete and pass annual online assessment quiz
    • Online quizzes will be available annually beginning in June 15 through November 30
    • Access to online quizzes dependent upon payment of annual C-cert fees

Certification Status

Diplomate status is updated annually to reflect compliance with annual C-cert requirements and can be verified in the Diplomate Directory. Beginning on January 1, 2020, diplomates will be assigned one of three statuses:
  • Certified-Meeting Requirements: Annual administrative fee is paid and annual quiz passed
  • Certified-Not Meeting Requirements: Annual administrative fee is unpaid
  • Not Certified: Annual administrative fees unpaid and quizzes not completed for two consecutive years or annual quiz failed

Fees and Payment

Fees must be paid in US currency.
Annual Certification Fee $175
 UCNS accepts VISA, MasterCard, and American Express for payment.

Relevant Subspecialty Learning

Each subspecialty engages in identifying the most important and relevant developments in their field to assist UCNS diplomates in keeping current in their subspecialty.

Effective Knowledge Assessment

Short annual online quizzes replace high-stakes recertification examinations.
  • 25-question quizzes assess knowledge of article-based content from the annual reading list
  • Real-time feedback provided on incorrect answers to close the knowledge gap
  • Diplomates have up to 6 months to complete online quizzes
  • 100 minutes allotted for online quiz completion
  • 80% pass rate required
  • Three attempts allowed to pass online quizzes

Benefits of C-cert

The new C-cert process provides a timely, convenient, and affordable way for diplomates to maintain certification.
  • Convenient annual online quizzes provide ongoing self-assessment of subspecialty expertise
  • Affordable, inclusive annual fee makes it easier to budget other professional development activities
  • Peer-submitted and selected topics facilitate continuous lifelong learning
  • Opportunity to earn up to 11 AMA PRA Category 1 CMETM
  • Patients are assured that UCNS-certified diplomates are staying up-to-date in their subspecialty field

Staff Contacts

Todd Bulson, Senior Manager, Certification
tbulson@ucns.org
(612) 928-6067

Becky Swanson, Operations and Executive Office Manager
bswanson@ucns.org
(612) 928-6050