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Certification Renewal

Because you strive to do your best. Renew your commitment today.

Renewing your ABO certification is about more than simply a renewal process.  It’s about the high standard you hold yourself to and your dedication to excellence.

Renew your board certification today and never stop pursuing your commitment to lifelong learning.

  

Renewal certification is required every 10 years for all board certified orthodontists, unless you have lifetime certification. 

Certification Renewal Examination (Time-Limited Certifications):

The certification renewal process may be started no earlier than 36 months prior to the expiration date printed on the board certified orthodontist’s certificate.  A new certificate will be awarded stating an expiration date of ten (10) years from the original expiration date, regardless of when the renewal process is completed.   

Successful completion of this exam is required to maintain Board Certification status. Board certified orthodontists completing certification renewal will receive an updated certificate, ABO Educational Toolkit and sample materials. 

Retake Policy: If unsuccessful, an examinee may pursue the BCE up to three times (a different exam assigned for each attempt). If all three opportunities have been exhausted, the examinee will be required to petition the board for further instruction regarding options to fulfill the certification renewal requirements. It is necessary to re-register each time an examinee will be tested. The registration system is set up to accommodate re-registration as early as the same day, and examinees are not charged for re-examination.  

Voluntary Certification Renewal Examination (Lifetime Certifications):

All lifetime board certified orthodontists are encouraged to voluntarily renew their certification. This is a requirement for all lifetime board certified orthodontists before they are eligible to act as an ABO Examiner and/or ABO Director.

Option 1: Online Board Case Exam (BCE)

  1. Complete one (1) online Board Case Examination as provided by the board: 
    • 50 multiple choice questions
    • 90-minute time limit 
  2. Complete 12 Continuing Education Credits from online AJO-DO or AJO-DO Clinical Companion exams:

    Log in to your ABO Account and begin your examination at any time.

Option 2: Mail-In Option - Case Report Examination (CRE)

  1. Case Report Examination (CRE) for one (1) case with a DI of ten (10) or greater submitted by mail. Patient source requirements:
    • One (1) case treated by the examinee from their clinical practice.
    • Case must be initiated within one's current certification time frame or within the past ten years.
    • Full-time orthodontic educators who have met all other requirements, may present a case that the educator directly supervised while teaching within a CODA-approved orthodontic program. The supervised case may not include a case that has been, or will be, presented to the ABO by a resident of the orthodontic program.
  2. Complete 12 Continuing Education Credits from online AJO-DO or AJO-DO Clinical Companion exams:
For current renewals, see registration and exam dates here.
The option you choose for re-certification and your certification expiration date will determine your timing and due dates.

BCE Preparation

Utilize the BCE Study Guide and Sample Case and the BCE Study Guide and FAQs to help you prepare for the examination.

 

After registering for your Certification Renewal Exam, you will be provided with a promotional code to waive the fee for your AJO-DO exams.  The ABO will accept Continuing Education Credits for AJO-DO Exams completed within the 36-months prior to your certification expiration, however, if you choose not to take advantage of the promotional code available after registration for your Certification Renewal Exam, or choose to complete your AJO-DO Exams prior to registering for your Certification Renewal, the ABO will not offer any refunds or credits for those exams.

AJODO Examination Fee Policy

How to Register for AJO-DO Fee Waiver

AJO-DO User Guide

AJO-DO FAQs

You will earn CE Credits for each passed test.  Proof of these 12 CE Credits will satisfy your online CE component for your certification renewal.   Please email a copy of your CE credits earned by the end of your examination period.

To begin the Continuing Education portion and access the tests, click here.

  • *Certification Renewal examinees who are not AAO members should contact kim@americanboardortho.com to obtain a temporary 2-week membership for completion of AJO-DO Exams.  During the 2-week window examinees will be required to register for and complete all required exams as well as download the CE Certificates as proof of completion for submission to the ABO.  After this window, the temporary account will be disabled and CE Certificates will no longer be available.