Click through for commonly asked questions on the ABMGG Continuing Certification program. Additional questions can be directed to StayCertified@abmgg.org or call (301) 634-7317.
Q. What is the value of Continuing Certification?
A. ABMGG Certification demonstrates to the medical community and to the public that a physician or clinical laboratorian has met nationally recognized standards for education, experience, and clinical skills. It also represents a commitment to maintaining certification through continuous learning and practice improvement to provide high-quality care in medical genetics.
Learn more on the Standards for Continuing Certification set by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for ABMGG and the other 23 member boards: Continuing Certification Standards | American Board of Medical Specialties
Q. Who participates in Continuing Certification and when?
A. ABMGG diplomates must participate in Continuing Certification to remain certified if they hold a time-limited certificate (issued 1993 or later for either a genetics specialty or subspecialty).
Diplomates with non-time limited certificates (certified prior to 1993), while encouraged to participate in the program, are not required to do so in order to maintain their diplomate status. Learn more: Non-Time Limited Certificate Holders – ABMGG
Participation in the ABMGG Continuing Certification program begins on January 1 of the year following initial certification and runs in continuous three-year cycles that close on December 31 of the third year. Note that participation in the longitudinal assessment program (i.e., CertLink) begins the Summer after a diplomate has earned initial certification.
Q. What is the cost of Continuing Certification?
A. The annual fee for participation in Continuing Certification is $500, regardless of the number of ABMGG specialties in which a diplomate is certified. This is due by December 31 of each year. Fees paid January 1 or later of a subsequent year will be subject to a $100 late fee. View more information here: Continuing Certification Fees – ABMGG
Q. How can I verify my certification? How can institutional credentialers verify my certification status?
A. Visit our Verify Certification page and complete a request for an official letter of verification. Diplomates may request a letter of verification from ABMGG at no charge. Institutional credentialers are assessed a $125 fee for this service.
Q. If I have more than one active, time-limited certification through ABMGG. How does that affect my annual continuing certification requirements?
A. All ABMGG Continuing Certification requirements remain the same regardless of how many certifications a diplomate has earned.
Review the Continuing Certification program overview here: Program Overview – ABMGG
Q. I am ABMGG certified and have entered training in a second medical specialty/subspeciality. Can I have Continuing Certification requirements waived?
A. Newly certified ABMGG diplomates who are training full-time in a second medical specialty or subspecialty may be eligible for a waiver or credit for certain continuing certification activities and for the first year of annual fees. Visit our Continuous Training page for more details.
Q. I am up-to-date with my fees and with CertLink. What else do I need to do to be in good standing with my certification?
A. Annual fees and CertLink are only two components of the Continuing Certification program. Diplomates must complete all required components, including those within Professionalism, Lifelong Learning, and Practice Improvement activities (if Clinically Active) within their overall three-year cycle.
Q. How can I find out if I have requirements that are not yet fulfilled for Continuing Certification?
A. You can track (and enter) your progress in the Continuing Certification program by accessing the dashboard at: https://portal.abmgg.org/home/
Many diplomates find it helpful to check their status on regular intervals to ensure they remain current with completing tasks and entering the information.
Q. Can I fulfill some of the ABMGG Continuing Certification requirements by participating in the continuing certification program of another ABMS Member Board?
A. The ABMS member boards have agreed to provide reciprocal credit for many Continuing Certification activities. For full details, visit our reciprocity page: Earning Reciprocal Credit – ABMGG
Note: For the Continuing Medical Education credit requirement, at least 30 of your minimum of 60 CME credits must be earned in genetics.
Q. I am not seeing patients. How can I complete the Practice Improvement requirement?
A. Diplomates who have not planned, or no longer plan, to participate in patient care activities and/or clinical laboratory activities including direct, consultative, or clinical supervision involving medical decision-making may apply for clinically inactive status. Diplomates must be current in their Continuing Certification cycle. Clinically inactive status will waive only the Practice Improvement component of the Continuing Certification program.
Q. What happens to my certification if I do not complete my requirements within my three-year cycle?
A. Diplomates are allotted an additional, one-year grace period to catch up following the close of their current three-year cycle. Note that use of this grace period reduces the amount of time available for completion of the subsequent three-year cycle. After the grace period has passed, diplomates who have failed to meet all requirements will have lost their certification with the ABMGG. Their certification status will be reported to the ABMS as “no longer certified”, and they may no longer list themselves as a diplomate of ABMGG.
There are options for regaining certification outlined here: Regaining Certification – ABMGG