ABO renames examinations for Gateway Diplomates to clarify the certification and recertification process

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) recently renamed the examinations that Gateway Diplomates must take to maintain their Diplomate status in the coming years. The ABO Board of Directors made these changes to clarify the board certification and recertification process.

The first examination is now named the Gateway Certification Examination. The ABO offers this examination during its Clinical Examination sessions throughout the year. Gateway Diplomates must take this examination within five years of accepting the Gateway Offer, or they risk losing their board certificate. For some, this time frame has already passed. Others still have time to take this examination. After Dec. 31, 2012, this examination will no longer be offered.

Gateway Diplomates paid for the Gateway Certification Examination when they accepted the Gateway Offer. However, orthodontists are required to register and take this examination prior to the expiration date on their certificate.

Information on the patient source, the components of the Gateway Certification Examination, and the case criteria for the Gateway Certification Examination are all available on the ABO website.

After passing the Gateway Certification Examination, Gateway Diplomates must take recertification examinations every 10 years to keep their board certificate current. These examinations are now named the First Recertification Examination, the Second Recertification Examination, the Third Recertification Examination and the Fourth Recertification Examination. Information on the patient source, the components of the recertification examinations and the case criteria are all available on the ABO website. The ABO will begin offering these examinations starting in 2013.