Eligibility

Diplomates who are eligible for the 2024 Continuing Certification Milestone have certificates ending in 2024, 2025, 2029 and 2030.   

Diplomates who hold current certificates that expires in 2028, but who did not complete the former 5-year MOC Milestone can petition the Board for a one-year grace period to complete the Continuing Certification process in 2024.

All eligible Diplomates will be notified by regular mail and email regarding the application process.  It is important that Diplomates maintain their current mail and email address on file with the Board.

Exam Dates and Fees

Application deadlines and Examination Dates along with fees are listed below:

Application Process for Clinically Active Diplomates

The application will be online through the Board's web portal. Diplomates can access the portal by clicking the "Sign in" button in the ABTS Portal section of the Board's home page.  If this is your first time signing into the portal, please contact the Board office for assistance with your username and password.  Once you are on your portal page, you should first update your contact information on the Profile Tab. You can also personalize your portal page by adding an optional photo.  

The Continuing Certification application can be accessed by clicking the Application Button found on the left-side of your portal page.  Before you start the application process, it is highly recommended that you have the following documents and/or information ready when you complete the application:

1. National Practitioner Identifier Number


2. A letter of reference from your Chief of Staff, or VP of Medical Affairs or equivalent position.  The individual can use this Reference Template Form (Click Here ) or he/she can write a letter on their own institutional letterhead provided there is a signature (PDF format). You will need to upload the .pdf letter into the application;


3. A letter of reference from a responsible member on staff.  This individual can use this Reference Template Form (Click Here )  or he/she can write a letter on their own institutional letterhead provided there is a signature (PDF format). You will need to upload the .pdf letter into the application;


4. A practice profile. Provide the percentage of time spent in surgical and non-surgical activities listed in the application;


5. The name and a brief description (to include the following information: what needed to be improved, what measures were taken to make the improvement and what were the results after the measures were implemented) of a Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) project performed in the last two years. PQI project must have a start date of April 1, 2022 or later;


6. The name of the Patient Safety course completed in the last 24 months (April 1, 2022 or later). Click here for additional information regarding the Patient Safety course. Serving on a Patient Safety committee does not meet the requirement for Patient Safety.  A patient safety course or a meeting covering the additional topics listed on the Board's website will be accepted.


7. Submit 150 AMA Category 1 CME hours since January 1, 2020, half (75 hours) of which need to be in the broad category of thoracic surgery. If you completed your 5-Year MOC process in 2020, or 2021, or 2022, or 2023, please be aware CME credits submitted on the 5-Year MOC application to meet the CME requirements for the 5-Year MOC process cannot be used to meet the CME requirements for the 2024 Continuing Certification process.

If selected for random audit, Diplomates will be expected to submit copies of the third-party CME certificates (PDF format). If you are randomly selected for a CME audit, you will receive an email requesting the third-party CME certificates.

A confirmation email will be sent to Diplomates when the application is submitted. Another email will be sent when the application has been approved.  

Application Process for Clinically Inactive Diplomates

The application will be online through the Board's web portal. Diplomates can access the portal by clicking the "Sign in" button in the ABTS Portal section of the Board's home page.  If this is your first time signing into the portal, please contact the Board office for assistance with your username and password.  Once you are on your portal page, you should first update your contact information on the Profile Tab. You can also personalize your portal page by adding an optional photo.  

If selected for random audit, Diplomates will be expected to submit copies of the third-party CME certificates (PDF format). If you are randomly selected for a CME audit, you will receive an email requesting the third-party CME certificates.

A confirmation email will be sent to Diplomates when the application is submitted. Another email will be sent when the application has been approved.