Continuing Certification in Pain Medicine (CCPM)

What Diplomates Need to Know

• The new standards go into effect January 1, 2026 and apply to all Diplomates who hold time-limited certification.

• After December, 31, 2025, the ABPM Maintenance of Certification Examination will no longer be offered. The MOC Examination is being replaced by the Continuing Certification in Pain Medicine (CCPM program)

• Quarterly Learning Modules:

o Time-limited Diplomates are required to complete all four learning modules in that year by December 31st. Diplomates are encouraged to complete the modules each quarter if possible.

o To complete the modules, Diplomates will log into a secure online portal to complete questions covering timely and clinically relevant topics in comprehensive pain medicine.

o The modules are un-proctored and no minimum score must be achieved.

o Diplomates will receive immediate feedback on their performance along with rationale for the correct answer(s).

o Questions answered incorrectly may appear again at a later date.

o Diplomates who hold certification valid 2026-2037 are not required to participate in the quarterly learning modules until the year following the expiration of their certification. At that time, those Diplomates must complete the learning modules to maintain their ABPM certification.

• Annual Attestation:

o Diplomates – including those whose certification expires between 2025 – 2037 must attest annually that they continue to meet the qualifications required for certification by ABPM, including but not limited to maintaining 25 hours of pain-related CME, holding an unencumbered license to practice medicine & prescribe controlled substances, not the subject of any malpractice or disciplinary action, etc.

o Diplomates unable to attest will be reviewed by the ABPM Board of Directors and could face disciplinary action.

• The fees historically paid every ten years when applying for the Maintenance of Certification Exam will now be broken down into much smaller and manageable annual payments of only $200 due by January 31st each year.

• While current Diplomates with certification valid between 2026 - 2035 must attest and pay the annual fee beginning in 2026, they are not required to participate in the quarterly learning modules until their current certification expires.

• Failure to participate in the CCPM program will jeopardize the ongoing certification of our Diplomates.

• Recently expired Diplomates whose certification has lapsed within the last two administration cycles or for those who still hold an active certification good through the current year are still eligible to regain certification through enrollment and participation in the CCPM process.

• Expired Diplomates seeking to regain their ABPM certification must be eligible and submit a $500 Reinstatement Fee plus that year's $200 Participation Fee. To reinstate your certification, you must attest that you continue to meet the qualifications and pay the reinstatement and 2026 participation fees. The most secure way to do that is to log into ABPM's website and click on the "Login" button in the top menu.

• Lifetime Diplomates remain exempt from the CCPM program. Lifetime Diplomates are encouraged to continue donating to the Annual Assessment and may participate in the learning modules if so desired.