Continuing Certification
(formerly known as Maintenance of Certification)
In order to meet the new Continuing Certification Standards required of all member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery replaced its Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process with Continuing Certification starting in January 2024. Continuing Certification is intended to give the public assurance that certified specialty physicians are maintaining high standards of clinical care throughout their career. For that reason, the Board requires that all Diplomates, including those who hold primary certificates and congenital subspecialty certificates, to participate in Continuing Certification. The only exception is for those Diplomates who have notified the Board of their retirement or disability.