FAQ

In 2017, the ABOS surveyed all Diplomates regarding the then current ABOS MOC Part III Assessment pathways and potential new pathways. The survey response clearly indicated Diplomate interest in the ABOS WLA.

The ABOS WLA window for participation is open once a year. Diplomates are required to earn 5 Quality Years of correctly answering at least 24 questions each year. (More specific information can be found on the left-hand menu.)

No. The ABOS WLA is an option that Diplomates may choose, instead of a Computer-Based or Oral Recertification Examination, in order to satisfy the Knowledge Assessment portion (Part III) of the ABOS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

No. The ABOS WLA is only open to those Diplomates who have a current ABOS Board Certificate and who are within their 10-year cycle. If a Diplomate’s ABOS Board Certification has expired, that Diplomate is required to go through the ABOS Re-entry Process.

No, Diplomates must wait until their new 10-year MOC cycle begins.

The ABOS highly recommends Diplomates begin the ABOS WLA in the first year in which they are eligible. Those whose certifications expire in 2030 or sooner and have not started will need to wait until their next 10-year MOC cycle to begin. For specific information based on a Diplomate’s certificate end date, click on the left-hand menu.

Starting on January 11, 2025, Diplomates can log on to their ABOS Dashboard and then access their ABOS WLA portal. Diplomates can view all Knowledge Sources. Knowledge Sources are journal articles, practice guidelines, AUC’s, and other resources. Diplomates will have access to the entire list of Knowledge Sources. Diplomates will choose 14 Knowledge Sources, while one Knowledge Source which has already been chosen by the ABOS will be the 15th Knowledge Source. The 15 Knowledge Sources will be utilized to generate the 30 questions (2 per source) in the assessment.

There is nothing that can be done yet. Diplomates who care eligible can log on to their ABOS WLA portal and view all Knowledge Sources starting January 11, 2025. On April 4, 2025, they can begin the administration of ABOS WLA questions, which must be completed by May 23, 2025. Diplomates will then have the option of taking the previously chosen Recertification Examination as scheduled or canceling it and continuing with the ABOS WLA.

A “Quality Year” under the ABOS WLA is defined as correctly answering at least 24 out of the 30 questions. Five Quality Years are needed to successfully complete the ABOS WLA Pathway by the end of Year 8. Those whose certificate expire before 2026, are required to achieve five consecutive quality years.

A “Quality Year” under the ABOS WLA is defined as correctly answering at least 24 out of the 30 questions.

Yes. While a Diplomate will still need to take a Computer-Based Examination when applying for the Initial Subspecialty Certificate, Diplomates are able to recertify the General Certificate and the Subspecialty Certificate simultaneously with the ABOS WLA pathway. Interested Diplomates will need to choose a minimum of five Knowledge Sources from their Subspecialty area in each participating year.

Diplomates will need to choose a minimum of five Knowledge Sources from each of the Subspecialty areas each year.

For Board Certificates that expire in 2026, the Case List and Application (now known as a Professional Standing Update) must be submitted by December 1, 2025. Diplomates can submit a Professional Standing Update and Case List as early as year seven of the 10-year MOC Cycle. They can also be submitted in years 8 or 9.

The Assessment Fee for each year of participation is due before a Diplomate’s first ABOS WLA question is delivered. This fee is $260 per year and $300 for those who hold a Subspecialty Certificate. All Diplomates, regardless of their Assessment Pathway, are required to submit a Professional Standing Update Fee of $1,075.

Each Diplomate will have at least two opportunities to pass an alternative MOC Knowledge Assessment option: either an ABOS Computer-Based Recertification Examination or an ABOS Oral Recertification Examination. Please go here where Diplomates can view the scenario specific to their certification end date.

For those Diplomates who have an ABOS Board Certificate which expires in 2030 or earlier, they must have earned a Quality Year already. If they did not participate, they cannot participate in 2025 and need to wait until their next 10-year MOC cycle.

Diplomates should go here to view the scenario specific to their certification end date.

Even after beginning the ABOS WLA, Diplomates may choose to participate in the ABOS Computer-Based Recertification Examination and the ABOS Oral Recertification Examination.

Yes. The ABOS WLA is a Knowledge Assessment offered under Part III of the ABOS’s MOC program. The CME/SAE, Case List, Peer Review, and Professional Standing Update are still required.

The ABOS does not grant CME. However, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) provides CME for participation in ABOS WLA. The ABOS does not provide nor endorse any third-party CME provider.

The ABOS Knowledge Source Groups were nominated by the appropriate orthopaedic societies. The individuals in those groups  serve a three-year term. These groups are also assisting in writing the questions.

Diplomates will choose most, if not all, of the Sources they would like to study. There may be a topic that impacts all orthopaedic surgeons; in that case, the ABOS may choose to require certain Knowledge Sources for all participating Diplomates. For the most part, Diplomates will be free to choose their own Knowledge Sources. However, those with a Subspecialty Certificate will need to pick a minimum of five Sources from their Subspecialty area.

All Knowledge Sources are available by logging into your ABOS WLA portal starting January 10, 2025.

Diplomates can select their Knowledge Sources at any time between January 10, 2025, 9:00 am ET and May 23, 2025, 5:00 pm ET. Please note that the assessment of 30 questions must also be answered by May 23, 2025, 5:00pm ET.

No. Diplomates have the entire assessment window to complete their 30 questions.

Yes. Once Diplomates submit each answer, they will know if they were correct.

Diplomates have three minutes to answer a question. There will be a time indicator on your question screen. It is intended for Diplomates to have read the Knowledge Sources before answering questions. Prior to viewing each question, you will know from which Knowledge Source each question comes. You may print or have the Knowledge Sources accessible when answering the questions.

The question will be considered incorrect.

Even though the ABOS WLA is an open-book assessment, in order to maintain a level of item integrity, a time-limit is placed on the viewing of each question. Research shows that three minutes is enough time to read an ABOS WLA question and determine a correct response for those who have read and comprehended the Knowledge Source.

The ABOS WLA should be compatible with most common browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge. (Links to certain Knowledge Sources work more consistently with Google Chrome.) Diplomates will need a consistent internet connection. The recommended minimum screen resolution is 1366 pixels wide by 768 pixels high. The ABOS highly recommends that Diplomates use a desktop or laptop computer and not a mobile device. Before attempting to answer one of the 30 questions, Diplomates should confirm that they can successfully answer any of the Sample Questions which are accessible on the ABOS WLA Portal.

It is the Diplomate’s responsibility to ensure proper internet capabilities and/or computer functions. The ABOS is not liable if a Diplomate’s internet is interrupted during question answering in the ABOS WLA interface. If a Diplomate fails to answer a question due to internet or computer failure, the question will be counted as incorrect. Please note that if a Diplomate’s connection is lost while answering a question, they are still able to access and answer that question within 3 minutes. Quickly try to re-establish the internet connection and refresh the page.

Please contact ABOS WLA Technical Support for any issues caused outside of these circumstances.