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Recertification

Eligibility

In order to maintain Diplomate status, Diplomates must recertify every ten years. Any Diplomate in good standing is allowed to attempt recertification. A Diplomate who has not paid annual fees continuously since certification may be allowed to regain good standing by paying all delinquent and current fees. As a courtesy, ABVP may notify Diplomates of their eligibility to recertify; however, it is the responsibility of each Diplomate to be aware of his or her eligibility status and to make application at the appropriate time.

Diplomates are eligible for recertification in the 8th, 9th and 10th years of certification. Therefore, a Diplomate who originally certifies in 2002 may recertify in 2010, 2011 or 2012. Doing so extends certification for 10 years beyond the last certification period not 10 years beyond the year in which the recertification requirement is met. In other words, certification obtained in 2002 remains in effect until 2012; recertification extends certification to 2022, as long as the requirements are met in the 8th, 9th or 10th years of the certification period.

In order to recertify, Diplomates are required to secure 500 recertification credits and submit an application with documentation by January 15 of the year recertification is sought.

Diplomates who fail to recertify within the allotted three years of eligibility may, for a period of three years, re-enter the examination process as a candidate by submitting an application and paying the examination fee. All sections of the examination (Specialty and Practical) must then be successfully completed. Any candidate who fails to recertify during the second three-year examination cycle must begin anew by submitting a full credentials package to the Credentials Committee before sitting for future examinations. In this event, the date for recertification shall be 10 years after the date of successful completion of all sections of the examination.

If you are eligible to recertify, download the recertification application:

Important - This is the first step in the recertification process and a printed application must be included in every application packet.

Recertification Application

(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)