ABS Changes CME Reporting Process—Submit Existing CME by April 3

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) recently made changes to its CME processes. These changes impact the way diplomates interact with the ABS, upload CME credits, and meet Certification requirements. Those who are not ABS diplomates are not affected.

The ability to directly transmit CME data from the ACS MyCME portal to the ABS has been a longtime ACS membership benefit, and the ACS is committed to making compliance with the ABS’s new rules as seamless as possible. For more details, read the agreement between the ABS and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, which is responsible for these changes, at absurgery.org/default.jsp?news_abscme0223.

Many surgeons previously have used the easy, two-step process to upload CME credits from their ACS MyCME profile to the ABS. That same process can be followed to remain in compliance.

What should you do?

Access your 13-digit Authorization Code by logging into the ABS website, opening the Ongoing Requirements on the right side of the webpage, and then the CME Repository link. If you are not able to access your 13-digit code, contact the ABS at cc@absurgery.org.
You must then log in to the ACS MyCME portal, select the Send CME Data tab at the top, and send your data using the process with which you are familiar. (Step-by-step instructions are available at facs.org/media/yvbpz3hd/how-to-send-cme-credit-from-acs-to-abs.pdf.)

Once you do this, your CME credits will be securely transmitted from the ACS.

The ACS process has not changed, and MyCME will continue to be available. There is urgency, however, because the ABS has announced that it is turning off the manual upload option for diplomates on July 1, 2023. Diplomates should make sure their credits are transmitted by completing the above process by April 3 to allow time for any issues that might arise to be addressed.

After April 3, the MyCME portal will still be available to upload, track, and monitor CME credits. Users will be able to transmit their CME data. The process will be slightly different, but it will continue to be streamlined and initiated by the user through the MyCME portal.