Part 3 Continuing Certification Evaluation FAQs
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the Part 3 Continuing Certification Evaluation. You can find additional information in the OLA FAQs.
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- What is the Part 3 Continuing Certification requirement?
Part 3 requires that you meet or exceed your OLA passing standard or pass a Continuing Certification Exam for each maintained certificate every five years.
- When does my Part 3 evaluation occur?
Each maintained certificate has a certification evaluation date at the end of a five-year cycle. An OLA current cumulative score meeting or exceeding the passing standard in year five or a passing result on a Continuing Certification Exam in year four or five is required to continue maintenance and start the next five-year cycle.
- I’m maintaining a continuous certificate. What happens if I do not meet the Part 3 requirement by the evaluation deadline.
If you do not meet the Part 3 requirement by the evaluation deadline, your certificate status will be listed as “no longer certified” on January 1 following the evaluation deadline.
- I’m maintaining a lifetime certificate. What happens if I do not meet the Part 3 requirement by the evaluation deadline.
If you do not meet the Part 3 requirement by the evaluation deadline, your participation in Continuing Certification (MOC) will end on January 1 following the evaluation deadline. If your Continuing Certification participation ends, you will need to pass a Continuing Certification Exam to restart maintenance.
- Should I study for OLA?
The goal with all OLA content is that diplomates won’t have to study. All content is intended to be “walking-around knowledge,” or answers the average diplomate should know. However, you may want to take time to review questions that you previously answered incorrectly, paying particular attention to the question rationale and the provided reference. You can review your most recently answered 200 questions in My OLA History.
- My current cumulative score is just above the OLA passing standard. Should I answer more questions?
If you have already completed your OLA annual progress requirement (for most this is answering 52 questions each year), then you should not answer more questions.
- My current cumulative score is below the OLA passing standard. Should I answer more questions?
Yes. You are encouraged to answer as many questions as you can before your next Part 3 evaluation date. This is especially important if you already have forfeited questions.
- What is a forfeited question?
A question that is required but unanswered for a given year is called a “forfeited question,” and counts as an incorrect response. For example, if you are required to answer 52 questions and only answer 50, the two unanswered questions will be considered “forfeited” and counted as incorrect.
- Can I choose to take a Continuing Certification Exam instead of participating in OLA to fulfill my Part 3 requirement?
Yes. Passing a Continuing Certification Exam in year four or five of your certification evaluation cycle fulfills your Part 3 requirement. Keep in mind, the Continuing Certification Exam has limited administrations each year.
- Why are there different Part 3 evaluation deadlines?
Part 3 evaluation deadlines differ based on when you began your OLA participation and your OLA performance. Even distribution of diplomate deadlines also allows us to maintain the highest level of support for those needing assistance.