The certificate is withdrawn and the diplomate is not listed as certified by the ABR or the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Yes, if you get too far behind you could face non-renewal of your certificate at the end of your MOC cycle. If you don't have too much to make up, you may be able to just complete all of your MOC requirements during your non-certified period, regain certification, and pick up with a new 10-year cycle. The most you can catch up in a year is double the usual rate of progress.

If you keep the ABR apprised of your current mail and e-mail addresses, you will receive a progress report on how you are doing with respect to your requirements each year. In this way you will know if you are lagging behind and what steps you can take to catch up while there is still time. Remember that the ABR will only be able to report to you what you have entered into your Personal Data Base (PDB) on the ABR's web site, so it is important for you to regularly log into your PDB and enter your progress.

If necessary, you can repeat the exam any time it is offered within the last 3 years of your MOC cycle. The anticipated passing rate is high. Unlike candidates for initial certification, diplomates have practice experience that will help them immensely as they take the exam. In addition, the exam is primarily case-based and image-rich in order to increase its relevance for the current practitioner.

If you have not passed the exam by the end of your 10-year cycle, your name will be removed from the list of certified diplomates; but you can continue to retake the exam up to 3 years past the end of your 10-year cycle. If you pass during that time period, you will be relisted as certified. If you have not passed the exam three years after the expiration of your certificate, you will be required to repeat the initial oral exam to regain your certification.