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Recertification

Overview
Updates Beginning January 1, 2026
Updated Submission Timeframe
Updated Recertification Form Overview
Recertification Video - PLEASE VIEW
Updated CE Categories and Acceptable Supporting Documentation
Updated Recertification Fee
Notification of Audit
Recertification Approval
Retired Diplomates
Non-Compliance with Recertification

Overview
Diplomates have historically been committed to the advancement of the specialty of endodontics and to life-long learning. Recognizing that the continued progression of our specialty requires that same commitment, the ABE implemented the Recertification requirement for those Diplomates who began the process with submission of their Preliminary Application after 1996.

Partnered with the honor of being a Diplomate is the obligation to maintain excellence in endodontic endeavors. We must continuously seek opportunities to learn, to improve and expand our clinical skills, to keep abreast of the latest technologies, to teach, to do research, and to contribute to our specialty by sharing our knowledge with others through reading, lecturing and publication.

The ABE developed the requirements for issuance of a new ten-year time-limited certificate incorporating the core values associated with the title of Diplomate, continuing education, authorship and teaching.

Updates Effective January 1, 2026
To streamline and simplify the Recertification process, the ABE has made modifications to the form, requirements and submission process.  These changes are effective on January 1, 2026, and apply to any Diplomate with a time limited certificate and a Recertification deadline beginning on or after December 31, 2026.  Please read on for important details and information.

Requirements and Processes that Remain the Same for ABE Recertification

  • Recertification is a requirement for those Diplomates who began the process with submission of their Preliminary Application after 1996.
  • A total of at least 150 continuing education (CE) credits within a 10-year span must be obtained to maintain an active Diplomate status with the American Board of Endodontics.
  • A Diplomate may begin to accumulate credits following his/her initial certification date, thus establishing the maintenance process as a continuing learning experience. Following approval of the Recertification form by the Directors of the American Board of Endodontics, the Diplomate will be issued a new ten-year time-limited certificate to date from the tenth anniversary of the initial certificate.
  • Failure to comply with Recertification will result in “Inactive Diplomate” status and may result in a Revoked certificate. To read more about Inactive Diplomate status and Revoked Certificates, please refer to the ABE Policy and Procedures Manual.
  • All Diplomates are responsible for maintaining a record of their CE credit hours, and although ABE Recertification relies on a self-report mechanism of credits earned, periodic audits will be accomplished on a randomized selection of Recertification forms. If selected for an audit, Diplomates are required produce acceptable supporting documentation for their recorded CE credit hours.  Additional details on what is acceptable supporting documentation for each category is outlined below.
  • Late submission of Recertification will result in an automatic audit.

Requirements and Procedures that Change for ABE Recertification Effective January 1, 2026 and for Diplomates with a Recertification Deadline beginning on December 31, 2026

  • Updated Submission Timeframe
    A Diplomate requiring Recertification may submit their form and fee payment anytime the year prior and/or the year of their Recertification deadline.  For example, if your deadline for Recertification is December 31, 2027, you may submit beginning on January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.

Updated Recertification Form
In January the year prior to a Diplomate’s Recertification requirement, ABE staff will email the Diplomate a link and log in credentials to the updated Recertification form.  There is no longer a form to download.  The simplified form will be accessible via the link and log in to the ABE database.  The Diplomate will be sent reminders via email to complete the form until they have done so, or until their due date expires. The new form will require the Diplomate to attest that they have completed at least 150 Continuing Education (CE) credit hours within their ten-year deadline, and to list how many hours they have fulfilled in each of the following categories:

  • Educational Sessions Directly Related to Endodontics (may submit up to 150 CE credits total for this section)
  • Educational Sessions Indirectly Related to Endodontics (may submit up to 20 CE credits total for this section)
  • Scholarship Activities (may submit up to 90 CE credits total for this section)

Recertification Instructional Video
Please view this video for an overview of the Recertification requirements and a demonstration of the Recertification form submission process:


Click here to view the video in a larger format.

Updated Recertification Requirements and Acceptable Supporting Documentation

CE Credits
As in the past, 150 Continuing Education (C.E.) credits are required every 10 years for Recertification with the ABE and in order to maintain an active Diplomate status.

The following is a breakdown of the newly revised Recertification categories, and what constitutes appropriate supporting documentation for all acceptable C.E.  It is the sole responsibility of the Diplomate to maintain accurate records for the C.E hours, but please note:  You will only need to provide supporting documentation of your C.E. if you are notified that your form has been randomly selected for an audit.

  1. Educational Sessions Directly Related to Endodontics (may submit up to 150 CE credits total for this section):
    These credits are attained when participating in accredited endodontic educational sessions. Below are some examples of accepted CE issuing events:
  • AAE Annual Meeting
  • AAE Insight Track
  • Other AAE-sponsored events
  • AAE Endo-On-Demand or Live Learning Center (LLC)
  • Endodontics Board Preparation courses
  • Study club sessions (if accredited to issue CE)
  • ADA annual sessions
  • Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) sessions
  • Other formal or regional meetings that offer accredited CE credits
    • Greater New York, Chicago Midwinter, Hinman, etc.
  • Ad hoc educational sessions at universities that offer accredited CE credits
  • International meetings with endodontic content that offer an equivalent of accredited CE credits
    • IFEA, ESE, SE Asia and ME, etc.

Below are some examples of acceptable accrediting organizations:

  • ADA CERP
  • AGD PACE
    If audited, please be able to provide the following supporting documentation for CE Credits Directly Related to Endodontics:  Each session must be documented with a CE certificate that displays the Diplomate’s name, presentation title, number of CE credits earned, and the name of the accrediting organization (such as ADA CERP, AGD PACE, etc.), if applicable. For international sessions, the same information is required.
  1. Educational Sessions Indirectly Related to Endodontics (may submit up to 20 CE credits total for this section)
    Examples of acceptable topics for this section:
  • Periodontal disease classification, progress, and management
  • Restorative material specifics and use
  • Treatment planning for intraosseous implants

If audited, please be able to provide the following materials for Educational Sessions Indirectly Related to Endodontics:  In addition to a documented CE certificate that displays the Diplomate’s name, presentation title, number of CE credits earned, and the name of the accrediting organization, the Diplomate must also maintain and provide a brief synopsis of how these educational sessions relate to their practice of endodontics. This documentation is the responsibility of the Diplomate, and acceptance of these CE credits is at the Board's discretion.
An example submission for this section:
“Jurisprudence for the Dental Practitioner (ADA CERP, 3 CE credits) taken on 04/15/2024.
How Applicable to Practice: This course exposed me to various legal ramifications of dental practice such as informed consent, risk management, and treatment documentation; all these are also related to my daily endodontic practice.”

 

  1. Scholarship Activities (may submit up to 90 CE credits total for this section):
  • Full time educator status as defined per the Diplomate’s academic institution (may submit up to 6 CE credits per year, up to a maximum total of 60 CE credits).
    If audited, you will be required to submit a letter from your employing University to verify the status and duration of your academic appointment.
  • Part-time educator status (may submit up to 2 CE credits per year, up to a maximum total of 20 CE credits). Part-time status is defined as a paid or volunteer faculty engaged in endodontic education, comprising at least 5% of the full-time status of a full-time educator at their institution.
    If audited, you will be required to submit a letter from your employing University to verify the % and duration of the teaching activity.
  • Published, or accepted (in press), article in peer-reviewed journals (may submit up to 10 CE credits for each article).
    If audited,     you will be required to submit a copy of the published article with visible name of journal and date of publication or official letter of acceptance (or similar verification) from the journal.
  • Published, or accepted (in press) textbook chapter (may submit up to 20 CE credits for each chapter).
    If audited, you will be required to submit a copy of the book chapter, or name of book, and date of publication or official letter of acceptance (or similar verification) from the publisher.
  • Review of endodontic-related articles in peer-reviewed journal, such the Journal of Endodontics or similar (may submit 1 CE credit for each completed journal article review).
    If audited, you will be required to submit documentation from the Journal’s reviewer website confirming date and number of submissions reviewed.
  • Lectures or presentations given at national and international events (may submit up to 4 CE credits for each hour of lecture).
    If audited,     you will be required to submit documentation from the meeting sponsor such as an invitation letter, a certificate, or a meeting schedule that establishes the name, date, title and duration of the lecture.
  • Lectures or presentations given at local and regional events such as study clubs that issue CE. Please note that presentations in study clubs that do not issue CE are not accepted (may submit up to 2 CE credits for each hour of lecture)
    If audited, you will be required to submit documentation from the meeting sponsor such as an invitation letter, a certificate, or a meeting schedule that establishes the name, date, title and duration of the lecture and which accrediting organization was involved in the event.

Recertification Fee
Effective January 1, 2026 the fee required for Recertification is $400.  Please pay this fee when you submit your Recertification Form.  Forms will not be reviewed until the fee is submitted.

Notice of Recertification Audit
After your form is completed, and both the form and payment are submitted, if your form is randomly selected for an audit you will be notified within 5 business days.

Recertification Approval Notification
If your form is not selected for an audit, after committee review, you will be contacted by an ABE staff member to confirm your form has been approved and how to coordinate receiving your new time limited Diplomate certificate.  A review (without an audit) typically requires 7 - 10 business days.

Retired Diplomates
Diplomates who have remained in good standing and have completely retired from compensated teaching and/or the practice of endodontics are eligible for retired status upon written request to the Board.  If a Diplomate in retired status returns to active status due to compensated teaching and/or the practice of endodontics and is required to recertify, then the Diplomate must comply with and continue the Recertification and maintenance dues process until compensated teaching and/or practice is completed.  The parameters and timelines for that would be same as if retired status had not previously been enacted. All associated requests regarding retired status may be submitted by email to staff@amboardendo.org.   Retired Diplomate status shall become effective on January 1 of the year following retirement approval by the BOD.  Annual membership dues will no longer be required for Diplomates in approved retired status.

Non-Compliance with Recertification
For Diplomates requiring Recertification, failure to comply with the process may result in a revocation of Board certified status.  For details on this, please review our Policy and Procedures Manual.