Maintaining orthodontist certification is a fundamental part of the certification process, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and mastery of orthodontics. In order to keep their certification up to date, dentists must meet certain requirements set forth by their state. These requirements include completing a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education each year, meeting content, sponsorship and documentation requirements, and providing proof of having completed continuing education if their license has expired or been suspended or revoked. In addition to the continuing education requirements, dentists must also maintain a current training certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
This certificate must be renewed every two years, unless the dentist is required to have a current certificate in advanced life support. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the national certifying board for orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Founded in 1929, it is associated with the American Association of Orthodontists and is recognized by the National Commission for Recognition of Dental Specialties and the Certification Boards. The renewal of the certification provides an opportunity for board-certified orthodontists to pursue continuing education, stay up to date on the latest technology, and reevaluate their approach and critical case evaluation. Examinees in the certification process who have 3 or more cases “on file” have two options for completing the board certification process.
Starting in 2024, the e-CRE component will no longer be included in the clinical examination. Clinical exam rating scales are weighted to achieve an assignment of (approximately) 25% to each of the four domains included in the exam. All licensees must keep original documents that verify the date and subject of the program or activity, the sponsor, and the amount of time spent. The documentation must be kept for a period of four years after renewal. Licensees selected for auditing must provide original documents certifying that they have met their continuing education requirements before the deadline specified by the board. For those whose license has expired or been suspended or revoked, they must submit proof of having completed continuing education equal to the requirements for the number of years in which their license has not been active, without exceeding a total of 45 hours.
Of these required hours, at least 15 must have been accumulated in the last 12 months and the rest within 36 months prior to application for reinstatement. Continuing education hours required by order of the board will not be used to meet the continuing education requirement for license renewal or reinstatement. Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the board. To summarize, maintaining orthodontist certification requires completing a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education each year that meets established content, sponsorship and documentation requirements. Dentists must also maintain a current training certificate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that must be renewed every two years. Those whose license has expired or been suspended or revoked must submit proof of having completed continuing education equal to the requirements for the number of years in which their license has not been active.
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