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. Diplomates must complete the C-cert requirements each year to maintain their certification. New diplomates begin the C-cert process to maintain their certification the year following their initial certification exam.

Continuous Certification Requirements

General eligibility requirements for C-cert include:
  • Must possess an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine
  • Be certified by an ABMS certifying board, AOA, or RCPSC
Annual requirements for C-cert include:
  • Read the annual designated subspecialty journal articles
    • C-cert articles will be posted annually by mid-February each year
  • Pay $175 C-cert administrative fee (discounted fee of $150 if paid by July 1)
    • C-cert fees are billed annually in April/May
    • All fees are per subspecialty certification
  • Complete and pass annual online assessment quiz
    • Online quizzes are available when annual C-cert fees are billed
    • Access to online quizzes is dependent on payment of annual C-cert fees
  • Deadline for completion of C-cert requirements: December 31
C-cert fee payment and quiz access instructions are available at Website Help.

Diplomate Contact Information

All diplomates are responsible for keeping their online profile information current or for notifying the UCNS of changes to their personal contact information. Failure to update contact information, which can result in not receiving important reminders and notifications, does not relieve a diplomate of the responsibility of meeting the annual C-cert requirements for maintaining their certification. Sign in to review and update contact information or go to Website Help for assistance.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits

To claim eligible CME or self-assessment credit hours, answer question 26 on the quiz to reflect the total time spent completing the required reading and online quiz. This question is not included in the scoring of the quiz. A minimum passing score of 80% is needed to meet C-cert requirements and receive CME credits. CME credit confirmation is emailed to diplomates within 24 hours of passing the quiz and is also posted in the Communications tab in a diplomate’s UCNS profile.

Click here to download and watch a brief tutorial on how to find and print a CME confirmation from the UCNS profile

Certification Status

Certification status is updated annually to reflect diplomate compliance with the annual C-cert requirements. Certification status 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 requirements for C-cert
  • Certified-Not Meeting Requirements: Not meeting the annual requirements for C-cert
Diplomates who do not meet all C-cert requirements for two consecutive years are no longer considered certified and must take and pass the initial certification examination to regain certification.  

Staff Contacts

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