Continuing Certification Requirements

The ABD’s Continuing Certification process allows you to focus on acquiring and maintaining knowledge and experience. 

Continuing Certification comprises four parts: CertLink, Practice Improvement, Medical License, and Annual Fee.

Here are details of each:

CertLink

  • CertLink is required – all board-certified dermatologists in Continuing Certification are enrolled automatically. 
  • You receive 13 questions each quarter and must complete at least three quarters each year.
  • You have the option of taking a sabbatical for one quarter a year. 
  • If you answer questions all four quarters, your lowest quarter will not count toward your cumulative score.
  • No additional questions are required for subspecialty certifications.
  • If you get a question wrong, you will have a chance to answer it again in the next quarter.
  • Your cumulative performance is assessed after four years of participation.
  • If your cumulative score meets the passing standard at the end of Year 4, you “pass” CertLink!  As a reward, you will get a one-year holiday in Year 5.   
  • If you do not pass CertLink after 4 years, you must take a Catch-Up Exam in Year 5.  
  • You will earn up to 15 CME credits each year through CertLink.

Practice Improvement (PI)

  • You must complete one PI activity every five years.
  • The ABD offers more than 100 focused Practice Improvement activities. 
  • New topics are added each year. 
  • PI activities are available for diplomates who are not in clinical practice, such as those in administrative or research positions. 
  • We will accept other practice improvement activities, such DataDerm (AAD) and ABMS portfolio programs at many institutions. 

Medical License

  • A full and unrestricted medical license, valid in the U.S. or Canada, is a requirement for ABD certification.
  • ABD will work with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) to verify licensure. If your license is not reported to us through the FSMB, our staff will contact you. 

Annual Fee

  • The $150 annual fee is due by the end of each calendar year.
  • The fee is all inclusive (unchanged since 2006) and provides access to CertLink, the CertLink Article Library, and focused Practice Improvement activities. 
  • Starting in 2027, you will not be able to start a new year of CertLink until the previous year’s fees are paid.
/>