Continuing Certification
Child and adolescent psychiatry was established as an American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) subspecialty in 1959. Beginning in 1995, certification in child and adolescent psychiatry has been awarded on a time-limited basis. The Continuing Certification (CC) movement was initiated by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the major certifying specialty boards as a way of demonstrating to the public that physicians maintain professional statues (e.g. state licensure), documentation of commitment to lifelong learning and assessment of practice-based performance.
The ABPN’s CC program include four components (and a one-time safety course):
The ABCC Pathway is an ongoing professional journal article-based assessment activity designed as an optional alternative to the traditional CC exam. ABPN diplomates who participate in the program need to pass 20 article exams per certification every 3-year block. A maximum of 27 attempts are allowed, i.e., one may not fail more than 7 article exams in a 3-year block (representing an article exam passing rate of 20/27 = 74.1%). Passing an article exam requires answering 4 out of 5 questions correctly on each exam. Once an article exam has been attempted, the same article exam cannot be retaken. For your convenience, we have made a collection of these articles, including direct links to each.
Beginning in 2016 diplomates will be required to complete an approved Patient Safety Course within the three years prior to board certification/recertification OR in their first CC block (beginning with those whose first block is 2017-2019).
Lifelong Learning Modules are one way in which AACAP aids members in the recertification process. Each module consists of approximately 35 journal articles, chosen by the Lifelong Learning Committee, that serve to educate individuals on important topics in child and adolescent psychiatry. Included in each module is a pre- and post-test that allows individuals to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and ABPN-approved self-assessment activity credits.