Professional Standing

Diplomates need to ....
  • hold a valid ABTS certificate at the time of application;
  • be in good standing under the former MOC process;
  • hold a currently valid, full and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine;
  • have privileges from a hospital(s) accredited by JCAHO or other institutions judged acceptable by the ABTS;
  • submit the name/contact information from the VP of Medical Affairs, Chief of Staff or an equivalent individual, who can provide an electronic letter of reference; and
  • submit the name/contact information from one responsible member on staff at the principal hospital, who can provide an electronic letter of reference.
Life-long Learning

Diplomates need to ...
  • earn an average of 30 AMA Category 1 CME credits per year over 5 years (150 CMEs total for 5 years);
  • half (75 CMEs) should be in the broad category of thoracic surgery (the CMEs no longer need to be congenital-specific); and
  • half (75 CMEs) can be of any type as long as it is Category 1 CME.

Acceptable Category 1 CMEs include, but are not limited to: 
  • annual meetings like the AATS, STS, STSA, WTS, ACS, and other national, regional, and/or local meetings; 
  • online courses such as the CME journal articles from the Annals of Thoracic Surgery and/or the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery;
  • 12 hours annually of Morbidity & Mortality conferences from the Diplomate's institution(s) provided that they are AMA Category 1
Congenital Cases

Diplomates need to ....
  • submit a log of all major cases performed during any twelve consecutive months of the two-year period immediately preceding the Continuing Certification application. For example, for the 2024 application, the case log may include cases from April 1, 2022 – March 30, 2023 or from May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024); 

  • provide evidence of having performed or directly supervised an ACGME congenital program resident/fellow in at least 50 congenital cardiac surgeries in patients 18 years of age or younger, or re-operation of prior congenital cardiac surgery on patients of any age during the reporting period.  Up to a maximum of 25 specified STAT category 4 or 5 cases in which the applicant has participated in the critical portion of the case with another congenital cardiac surgeon may be counted toward the requirement. CLICK HERE for the STAT Category 4 and 5 cases.

In order to ensure an appropriately diverse distribution of cases, the Diplomate's case log cannot exceed a maximum of the specified number for the following cases for credit toward the requirement of 50 major congenital cases:
  • 5 Secundum atrial septal defect and/or patent foramen ovale closure procedures
  • 5 Patent ductus arteriosus ligation and/or division
  • 5 Pulmonary artery banding
  • 5 Right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit insertion/replacement and/or pulmonary valve replacement
  • 5 Other valve repair / replacement (age 18 and under, only)
Cognitive Expertise

Diplomates need to complete the Congenital Cardiac Module of the Continuing Certification examevery 5 years. Diplomates are allowed to take the exam one year early (ie, fourth year).  Diplomates who do not successfully complete the Continuing Certification Exam by the end of the fifth year due to extenuating circumstances may petition the ABTS for a one-year grace period.  The ABTS will consider a one-year extension on a case-by-case basis.

The Continuing Certification Exam ...
  • tests fundamental and practiced-related knowledge 
  • consists of 100 multiple-choice questions similar to SESATS (questions followed by critique).
  • is modular, based on the Diplomates specialty, and presents in a self-assessment format.
  • is graded and it is possible to fail the exam.
  • is online and can be taken at home or office.
Patient Safety

Diplomates who are active need to take a Patient Safety Course within 2 years of the application.

The Patient Safety course can range from hospital-based programs to online programs with CME credit.  You may have already taken one for your institution such as:
  • Pain Management
  • Infection Prevention
  • Prevention of Medical Errors
  • Workplace Safety
  • Patient Rights
  • Conscious Sedation
Practice Quality Improvement

Diplomates who are active need to conduct a Patient Quality Improvement (PQI) Project within 2 years of the application.

Continuing Certification allows multiple pathways for Diplomates to meet the requirements set forth by the ABMS for Practice Quality Improvement. These include activities at the individual surgeon, individual practice, institutional, or regional collaborative level. It is anticipated that most Diplomates are already participating in a PQI project. The ABTS encourages its Diplomates to take part in a meaningful and valuable exercise that will benefit both their patients by improving the quality, value, and safety of the care that is delivered. For more details and examples of the various types of PQI projects, please click on the links below.