10-year Milestone for 2023

Eligibility, Deadlines and Fees
Diplomates eligible for the 10-year MOC in 2023 have certificates ending in 2023, 2024 and 2025. 
The 2023 10-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) application is now available until May 31, 2023. The 10-MOC application fee is  $550 and it's due at the time of submission. The fee button to submit payment for the 2023 10-Year MOC application will be available on the Diplomates portal page after the application has been submitted. The fee button will be located in the same area in which the button for the 10-Year MOC application was located. Late applications will be accepted between May 15-31, 2023, and a $400 late fee will be assessed.

Application Process
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 10-year MOC 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. Copies of all medical licenses (PDF format). Upload a .pdf copy of all the medical licenses listed in the application;
  2. National Practitioner Identifier Number
  3. 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;
  4. 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;
  5. A practice profile. Provide the percentage of time spent in surgical and non-surgical activities listed in the MOC application;
  6. 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 March 1, 2021 or later;
  7. The name of the Patient Safety course completed in the last 24 months (March 1, 2021 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.
  8. Submit 150 AMA Category 1 CME hours since January 1, 2019, half (75 hours) of which need to be in the broad category of thoracic surgery. If you completed your 5-Year MOC process in 2019, or 2020, or 2021, or 2022, 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 2023 10-Year MOC process.

Diplomates who are Clinically-Inactive (not involved in thoracic surgery patient care, either directly or in a supervisory capacity) will be expected to submit the following documents and/or information with their application:

  1. Submit copies of all medical licenses (PDF format). Upload a .pdf copy of all the medical licenses listed in the application;

  2. Complete the Practice Profile. Provide the percentage of time spent in non-surgical and surgical activities listed in the MOC application;

  3. Provide an explanation describing what you are doing professionally. The information will be added into the MOC application; and

  4. Submit 150 AMA Category 1 CME hours since January 1, 2019, half (75 hours) of which need to be in the broad category of thoracic surgery.  If you completed your 5-Year MOC process in 2019, or 2020, or 2021, or 2022, 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 2023 10-Year MOC 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.