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Certification Status Policy

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Certification Deactivation and Reinstatement:

If a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics chooses to deactivate membership or allows their certificate to expire, board certification affiliation must be removed from all public communications (website, printed materials, etc.).  In addition, board certification status will be removed from the listing on the ABO and AAO websites.  Further, the ABO will be required to advise of the updated status to all third party verification requests on behalf of the orthodontist.

If, in the future, the orthodontist chooses to reactivate board certification, they will be required to pay a reinstatement fee as well as the current year's annual fee.  If board certification was deactivated because of failure to complete Certification Renewal requirements, or if the certification expired while deactivated, the orthodontist will also be required to complete the Certification Renewal requirements before active status is reinstated.

If a Diplomate is deactivated due to failure to complete their Certification Renewal requirements by their expiration date, they will be permitted to complete their Certification Renewal and reinstate their active status within three (3) years following their expiration date, as long as they are in good standing.  Once the expired diplomate contacts the ABO to complete their Certification Renewal for reinstatement, all requirements must be successfully finalized within 30 calendar days.

If a Diplomate cannot successfully pass their Certification Renewal exam within the three (3) attempts allowed, or if their certification has expired and they do not successfully complete their Certification Renewal and reinstatement within three (3) years following their expiration date, the Diplomate will be required to sit for and successfully pass the Scenario-based Clinical Examination in order to re-establish their Certification.  The dates and fees for future Scenario-Based Clinical Examinations can be found at: https://americanboardortho.com/orthodontists/become-certified/exam-dates-fees-and-registration/

Retired Status:

A board certified orthodontist may move to a Retired Status if they meet one of the following requirements:

  • Fully retired from the active practice of Orthodontics with no significant compensation from teaching or other allied professional activities
  • Individual is 65+ years of age and has paid annual dues consistently for the 10+ previous years

An individual that moves to a Retired Status will no longer be required to pay ABO Annual Dues.  Information will still appear on the Orthodontist Locator, but only under the Retired Status (no longer under Active Status).  The ABO will also be required to advise all third parties of the updated Retired Status when verification requests are received.

If in the future, an individual chooses to change back to an Active Status, they will be required to pay a reinstatement fee as well as the current year's annual fee.  If Certification Renewal was due while in the Retired Status, you will also be required to complete your Certification Renewal exam before Active Status is able to be reinstated.

For more information on Retired Status, please email Kerry@americanboardortho.com.