Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment and Skills builds upon and links to the continuous learning and self-assessment requirements of CC Part II.
Annual Requirement for CC Part III: The ACE Pilot
The Amplified Continuing Education (ACE) Pilot is an innovative enhancement to ABOG's Continuing Certification (CC) program. It aims to identify and close knowledge gaps for diplomates through zero-pressure knowledge gap assessments. The ACE pilot is required for all diplomates participating in CC and is not a separate program. You do not need to opt in when you apply for CC, and will automatically have access to ACE questions through your participation in ABOG's CC program.
Diplomates will be required to take 60 ACE questions throughout the year, in addition to the 60 article-based questions from Part II activities. There is no time-limit to answer ACE questions.
For specific information about ACE, including information about content, scoring, and feedback, visit the ACE Pilot overview page.
Year 6 and Eligibility for the Performance Pathway
ABOG introduced Performance Pathway to enhance and streamline the continuing certification (CC) process. The program integrates the self-assessment and external assessment requirements to encourage you to continuously demonstrate your knowledge of the specialty. The program maintains a rigorous and relevant continuous professional development process that is critical to providing high-quality patient care. Performance Pathway emphasizes demonstration of knowledge throughout the entire CC cycle. ABOG believes that this program helps ensure that you're maintaining a high level of current medical knowledge and are able to apply that information in your practice.
All diplomates in Year 6 will still be required to complete annual CC requirements and meet the 80% Part II article-based assessment threshold.
When diplomates in Year 6 apply for the CC process, they will be notified if they are eligible to participate in the CC Performance Pathway. Those who do not qualify, must pass the 2026 CC Part III Examination administered on July 20, 2026.
Diplomates in CC Year 6 are eligible for the CC Performance Pathway if he/she has (a) an Active Diplomate certification status, (b) has answered at least 86% or more of the CC Part II article-based assessment questions correctly in CC Years 1-5 of this CC cycle, and (c) has unrestricted licenses to practice. These diplomates will be exempt from taking the CC Part III Assessment of Knowledge, Judgment and Skills Exam requirement in Year 6.
Diplomates will be ineligible to participate in the CC Performance Pathway if they have any of the following.
Probationary Diplomate certification status;
current state board disciplinary actions on their medical license, such as revocations, suspensions, probations, denials of renewal, surrenders, restrictions, conditions; or
felony criminal indictments, pleas, or convictions; or deferred dispositions.
Year 6 diplomates not eligible for the Performance Pathway must take and pass the CC Part III Examination in Year 6 in 2026 to maintain certification.
Ineligible for Performance Pathway: Year 6 Part III Exam
