Lifelong learning and self-assessment activities are included in the Continuing Certification program framework to recognize the work you do to enhance your clinical knowledge. Attesting to ongoing engagement in educational activities helps to demonstrate your commitment to the continuous development of practice-related competencies.
CME Requirements for Continuing Certification
The following chart outlines the CME requirements and attestation process:
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Diplomate Status
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CME Requirement
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Attestation Process
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Certified or Recertified
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Attest to participating in an average of 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ every two years, including 16 credits of self-assessment.
One patient safety activity must be completed during the 10-year cycle.
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Log in to the ABO website every two years to attest to meeting CME milestones; attest to patient safety completion one time per 10-year cycle.
Diplomates who do not attest to CME, or complete any other Continuing Certification activities, by Year 4 of the 10-year cycle may be audited to verify ongoing CME participation.
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Fast-Track Applicant
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Earn at least 250 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (within the last 10 years).
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Log in to the ABO website to attest to the completion of all CME one time during the 3-year Fast Track Process.
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| Do you track your CME history with the AAO? Now, you can digitally transfer a record of your American Academy of Ophthalmology-earned CME credits to your ABO account, making it easier to track when you've reached the ABO requirement. To transfer your credits, enter your ABO ID number on your Academy CME transcript page and click the transfer button. |
Locating Acceptable CME Activities
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit acceptable for ABO credit must be considered AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and can be obtained from any ACCME-accredited CME provider.
- At least 80% of all CME activities completed for ABO Continuing Certification must be specific to ophthalmology.
- The ABO's Quarterly Questions program counts for 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from 2019 forward thanks to a joint providership agreement with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Previous iterations of the Quarterly Questions program are eligible for 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
- Direct CME credit from the AMA is available for certain educational and professional development activities, such as completing a fellowship or authoring an article in a peer-reviewed journal. Click here to visit the AMA's website and learn more about these opportunities.
| Need help finding CME? The ABMS Continuing Certification Directory provides a list of CME-bearing activities developed by accredited providers, both inside and outside the specialty of ophthalmology. Please note that activity completion is not automatically transferred to the ABO if you select an activity from this menu -- you will still need to log in to the ABO website to attest to completion of any courses or activities. The ABO does not receive any funds from course fees associated with the ABMS menu. |
Defining Self-Assessment
There is no formal ABO approval process for self-assessment activities. Any CME activity that qualifies for ABO Continuing Certification credit may also be counted as "self-assessment" as long as it provides a mechanism for individual learners to review their own performance, knowledge base, or skill set in a defined area of practice. For instance, grand rounds, medical conferences, or journal activities for CME credit that involve a form of individualized self-assessment may count as a self-assessment activity.
In 2019 and early 2020, the ABO participated in the ACCME's CME Finder program, where a list of pre-approved CME and self-assessment activities were listed. If you participated in one of these activities, they will still count for ABO credit; however, the ABO is no longer actively using CME Finder.