Participants in the Maintenance of Certification process must:

1. hold a valid certificate issued by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
2. hold a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine in all locations where licensed, as defined by ABOto policy.
3. hold privileges to practice otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in hospitals or surgical centers accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations or AAAHC, or must provide a letter of explanation why this requirement cannot be met.

The ABOto is in the process of developing its first self-assessment module. As this and other modules are developed, MOC participants will be expected to complete the requisite number of modules over the 10 year MOC cycle.

Primary Certification - MOC participants are required to complete a sufficient number of CME credits to meet their state’s requirement for licensure for each license held. Sixty percent of the hours must be specifically related to otolaryngology. A few states do not have specific requirements and for individuals in these states, a minimum of fifteen (15) CME credits are required. Random audits will be conducted by the ABOto to assure compliance. It is the diplomate’s responsibility to maintain the CME record.

or

Neurotology Certification - Neurotology Subspecialty certified individuals need only participate in the Neurotology MOC program to maintain the primary and neurotology certificates. Participants in the Neurotology Maintenance of Certification process are required to complete a sufficient number of CME credits to meet their state’s requirement for licensure for each license held. Sixty percent of the hours must be either otology or neurotology subspecialty related. A few states do not have specific requirements and for individuals in these states, a minimum of fifteen (15) CME credits are required. Random audits will be conducted by the ABOto to assure compliance. It is the diplomate’s responsibility to maintain the CME record.

or

Sleep Medicine Certification - Sleep Medicine Subspecialty certified individuals need only participate in the Sleep Medicine MOC program to maintain the primary and sleep medicine certificates. Participants in the Sleep Medicine Maintenance of Certification process are required to complete a sufficient number of CME credits to meet their state’s requirement for licensure for each license held. Sixty percent of the hours must be sleep medicine subspecialty related. A few states do not have specific requirements and for individuals in these states, a minimum of fifteen (15) CME credits are required. Random audits will be conducted by the ABOto to assure compliance. It is the diplomate’s responsibility to maintain the CME record.

1. The Scope of Knowledge Study located on this website is the definition of the content for the specialty and will be used for the development of the revalidation examination. The examination will be conducted in a secure, proctored environment and will be subject to psychometric and statistical analysis.
2. Candidates will be required to complete a core component examination which includes knowledge fundamental to the practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, as well as knowledge of practice environment issues such as quality assurance, safety, regulations, ethics of practice, professionalism, legal and reimbursement issues, AND one module, to be selected by the candidate, which focuses on a specific area of otolaryngology. The planned modules are:

   General otolaryngology	Rhinology
   Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery	Allergy
   Head and neck surgery	Otology
   Pediatric otolaryngology/bronchoesophagology	Laryngology

   Neurotology for holders of the Neurotology Subspecialty Certificate. Successful completion of both the core component examination and the Neurotology exam will result in renewal of both the primary and subspecialty certificates.
   
   Sleep Medicine for holders of the Sleep Medicine Subspecialty Certificate. Successful completion of both the core component examination and the Sleep Medicine exam will result in renewal of both the primary and subspecialty certificates.

This area remains to be addressed. There are no proven means of evaluation in this area at this time.

Individuals holding time-limited certificates will be required to submit a brief update form and fee of $200 annually. A penalty fee of $200 will be assessed for late submissions, and non-participation may result in default of the Maintenance of Certification process.