Continuous Certification - A commitment to lifelong learning

UCNS continuous certification (C-cert) provides diplomates with a relevant, effective, timely, and convenient way to meet the needs of lifelong learning and self-assessment. New diplomates begin the C-cert process for maintaining their certification the year following their initial certification exam. Diplomates certified prior to 2020 began the C-cert process for maintaining their certification in 2020.

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 are billed annually in the spring of each year
    • Pay by the early payment deadline of June 17, 2022, and save $25 with a discounted fee of $150. After the early deadline, the C-cert administrative fee reverts to the regular $175 annual fee
    • All fees are per subspecialty
  • An email with quiz access information will be sent within five business days after payment of the annual C-cert fee(s)
  • Read the annual designated subspecialty journal articles
    • C-cert articles will be posted annually starting in January of each year
  • Complete and pass annual online assessment quiz
    • Online quizzes will be available annually in the spring of each year
    • Access to online quizzes dependent upon payment of annual C-cert fee(s)
  • Deadline for Completion of C-cert Requirements:
    • C-cert annual fee payment deadline: December 23, 2022
    • C-cert quiz completion deadline: December 31, 2022

Certification Status

Diplomate status is updated annually to reflect compliance with annual C-cert requirements and can be verified in the Diplomate Directory. Diplomates must meet annual maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements for C-cert. The diplomate status of meeting the MOC requirements for C-cert is updated annually or as outstanding requirements are met.
  • Certified-Meeting Requirements: Meeting the annual MOC requirements for C-cert
  • Certified-Not Meeting Requirements: Not meeting the annual MOC requirements for C-cert
Diplomates who do not meet the C-cert requirements for two consecutive years are no longer considered certified and must take and pass the initial certification examination to regain their certification. 

Annual C-cert Fee and Payment

Beginning in 2020, an annual C-cert administrative fee is billed and payment can be made online with a credit card. The annual C-cert administrative fee is $175.
 
Payment Instructions
  1. Sign in with your username and password towards the upper right corner of the page
  2. Once signed in, click on "Hi, <your name>" to go to your diplomate profile
  3. The blue "Pay Now" button will be on the left side of the profile page
  4. Quiz access will be emailed within five business days of payment submission

UCNS accepts VISA, MasterCard, and American Express for payment. Fees must be paid in US currency.

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 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM (up to 11 for 2021 activities and 15 for 2022 activities)
  • The ABPN has reviewed this activity and has approved the 2021 program for a maximum of 11 self-assessment (SA) credits and the 2022 program for a maximum of 15 SA as part of a comprehensive SA program, which is mandated by the ABMS as a necessary component of maintenance of certification
  • Patients are assured that UCNS-certified diplomates are staying up-to-date in their subspecialty field

Staff Contacts

Bryan Hagerla, Continuous Certification Manager
[email protected]
(612) 928-6326