5-year Milestone for 2019

Eligibility for the 2019 5-year MOC
The Board will accept applications for the 2019 5-year Milestone between July 1, 2019 and September 3, 2019. Eligible Diplomates include those who hold time-limited certificates ending in 2024. In addition, Diplomates whose certificates expires in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 who did not go through the process in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 or who did not successfully complete it, are eligible. After a submitted application has been approved, the next step for the Diplomate is to complete SESATS 12 by January 17, 2020.

Applications will be accepted between July 1 and September 3.  Late applications will be accepted from September 4 to September 16.  No applications will be accepted after September 16, 2019.  There is a $500 Application Fee paid at the time the application is submitted. There is also an additional $350 Late Application Fee assessed for those submitted between September 4 and September 16.  For Diplomates who did not complete their 5-year Milestone in their fifth year of their certification cycle, an additional $350/year fee is assessed. An administrative fee of $50 will be charged if the application contains errors or omissions. 

Applications for the 2019 5-year MOC process
This year, the 5-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) application is online through the Board's new web portal. Diplomates will be able to access the MOC application starting July 1, 2019 through the portal by clicking the "Sign in" button on the top of this page.  If this is your first time signing into the portal, please contact the Board office to obtain 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 5-year MOC application can be accessed by clicking the Application Button that will appear on the left-side of your portal page on July 1, 2019.

Diplomates, who did not complete their 5-year MOC in their fifth (5th) year of their certification cycle, will be assessed an additional $350 late fee for each year they are late.

Deadline Dates for the 2019 5-Year MOC Application
Applications will be accepted from July 1, 2019 through September 3, 2019.  Late applications will be accepted from September 4 through September 16, 2019.  Any application received after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 3 will be assessed a $350 late fee. No applications will be accepted after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 16, 2019.

Clinically-Active Diplomates
Diplomates who are Clinically-Active (seeing thoracic surgery patients) can go through the 5-year MOC.  Before you starting the application process, it is highly recommended that you have the following documents on hand when you complete the application:

  1. Copies of all medical licenses (PDF format) and National Practitioner Identifier Number;
  2. A letter of reference from your Chief of Staff, or VP of Medical Affairs or equivalent position.  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);
  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);
  4. A practice profile;
  5. The name and a brief description of a Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) project performed in the last two years;
  6. The name of a Patient Safety Course taken in the last two year; and
  7. A list of 150 AMA Category 1 CME hours since January 1, 2015, half (75 hours) of which need to be in the broad category of thoracic surgery

Clinically-Inactive Diplomates

Diplomates who are Clinically-Inactive (not seeing thoracic surgery patients) can go through the 5-year Milestone.  Clinically-Inactive Diplomates will need to submit the following information and/or documents with their application:

  1. Submit copies of all medical licenses (PDF format);
  2. Complete a Practice Profile;
  3. Provide an explanation describing what you are doing professionally; and
  4. Earn 150 AMA Category 1 CME hours since January 1, 2015, half (75 hours) of which need to be in the broad category of thoracic surgery.

All Diplomates in the 2019 5-year MOC process
If selected for random audit, Diplomates will be expected to submit copies of the third-party CME certificates (PDF format).

A confirmation email will be sent to Diplomates when the application is submitted. Another email will be sent when the application has been approved.  Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email with information on how to obtain a free copy of SESATS.

Completing SESATS XII (12) for the 2019 5-year MOC process

Once a Diplomate (Clinically Active or Inactive) has an approved 5-year Milestone application, the Board will send him/her by email instructions on how to obtain a free copy of SESATS XII (12).  SESATS 12 will need to be completed in its entirety by January 17, 2020.  It is not necessary for a Diplomate to purchase SESATS 12, since he/she will be given a copy of it as part of the 5-year Milestone process.