​ABPath Announces Changes to the Continuing Certification Program for 2021

The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) has announced two changes to the Continuing Certification (CC) Program that are approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Beginning in 2021, the ABPath will no longer require:

• Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) for Part II Lifelong Learning of the CC program
• a Patient Safety Course. (Although this is no longer required, participation in Patient Safety CME is still encouraged.)

The “SAMs” requirement was developed by ABPath to ensure that at least 20 of the required 70 CME credits had a self- assessment activity. Since ACCME accreditation requires that the CME provider analyzes changes in learners (competence, performance, or patient outcomes) achieved as a result of the overall program's activities/educational interventions, having a SAMs requirement is no longer necessary and is burdensome for diplomates and CME providers.

ABPath’s CertLink® longitudinal assessment has been approved by ABMS as a permanent change to our CC program in 2021 and this provides diplomates with self-assessment of medical knowledge as well.

Diplomates will still be required to complete and report a minimum of 70 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits for each two-year CC reporting period. ASCP offers a robust CME credit-bearing portfolio.