Certification Maintenance

The ABOMS certification process is intended to assure the public that certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons have successfully completed a rigorous peer evaluation process.  The ABOMS certification process requires that surgeons present and maintain appropriate professional credentials, as well as to demonstrate achievement of the requisite training, experience and knowledge as determined by passing both a thorough qualifying examination and a comprehensive oral certifying examination.  Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are expected to maintain current competence through ongoing professional education such as that provided via national meetings, seminars, lectures, special courses, panels, symposia, and self-assessment tools.

Many attributes are necessary to be a competent oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and many of these factors cannot be quantified.  Therefore it is important to state that ABOMS board certification does not necessarily  guarantee that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is “competent.”  Recognizing this fact and further that certification is a “point in time” when the qualifications of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon are examined, the ABOMS instituted a recertification process in 1990.  Diplomates certified after this time were issued a “time limited” certificate for a 10 year period.  A computer administered Recertification Examination is then required to maintain certification along with annual registration and verification of practice.

In the ensuing years it has become even more important that oral and maxillofacial surgeons maintain the requisite skills and knowledge to provide state of the art patient care.  To that end, in 2005 the ABOMS instituted a comprehensive program to ensure that maintenance of ongoing skills and knowledge of certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons is a continual process and not one measured at one specific point in time.  This process moves the concept of recertification from an examination conducted every 7-10 years to a more continuous process of assessment, which is known as Certification Maintenance (CM).  The planned changes represent a response to the quality-of-care movement and the related concerns of the public.  Additionally the ABOMS acted to expand OMS board certification in the face of activities of other groups that set practice standards – American Board of Medical Specialties, Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospital Organizations, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance.  The Board understands that this is a dynamic process and anticipates modifications over time.  The information below represents the ABOMS’ current plan for the CM process.  Diplomates certified after 2005 (including those recertified after December 31, 2012) will be integrated into this process, although voluntary participation for all diplomates is encouraged.

1.         Evidence of professional standing, such as an unrestricted license, a license that has no limitations on the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery in that jurisdiction. 

• Current state license to practice oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Limitation of practice to oral and maxillofacial surgery and any other recognized specialty practice in which he/she is educationally qualified if applicable
• ABOMS Annual Registration Credentials Form

2.         Evidence of commitment to lifelong learning and involvement in periodic self assessment process to guide continuing learning.  The CE and self-assessment must be completed within the three (3) years prior to applying for the Recertification Examination.

• 60 hours* Category 1 continuing education credits
• 30 hours* Category 1 or 2 continuing education credits
• Evidence of successful completion of an ABOMS self-assessment tool that will be web based and delivered in a specified period of time.

3.         Evidence of cognitive expertise based on performance on an examination. It will contain questions on fundamental knowledge, up-to-date practice related knowledge, and may include other issues such as ethics and professionalism.  The examination is secure, reliable and valid.

• ABOMS Recertification Examination

4.         Evidence of Performance in Practice including the care for common health problems and physician behaviors such as communication and professionalism as they relate to patient care.

• AAOMS Office Anesthesia Evaluation Process

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to participate in the CM process?
All Diplomates who receive initial certification after 2005 or are recertified after December 31st 2012 must stay current and complete the process to maintain their diplomate status. 

What if I was certified before 2005?
Diplomates who were initially certified from 1990 to 2004 Will be required to begin the Certification Maintenance process beginning with recertification in the year 2012 and thereafter.  Those diplomates with time unlimited certificates are encouraged to participate in the CM process.

What happens if I have a time unlimited certificate and start the CM process, but fail to complete it?
As with the recertification examination, those diplomates with time unlimited certificates who are unsuccessful will only be personally and confidentially notified.

How are the continuing education hours reported?
Diplomates will fill out a self report of courses attended on the ABOMS web site. The CE course requirement must be fulfilled starting 3 years prior to the expiration of the 10 year certificate. The ABOMS reserves the right to perform random audits which may consist of requiring specific course attendance certificates. 

What if I do not provide office anesthesia procedures?
These diplomates should contact ABOMS for alternative to demonstrate evidence of performance in practice.