During the 4-year cycle after initial certification, a diplomate participating in CertLink may be excused upon written request from answering questions under the following circumstances:
- One quarter (3 months) for any reason provided the request is made within 6 months of the end of the quarter, and before the calendar year in which certification expires.
- One additional quarter (3 months), when requested in advance (before the start of the quarter), for medical or family leave, natural disaster, or other situation beyond an individual’s control. Documentation must be provided.
During subsequent 5-year cycles after recertification, a diplomate participating in CertLink may be excused upon request from answering questions under the following circumstances:
- One quarter (3 months) for any reason provided the request is made within 6 months of the end of the quarter, and before the calendar year in which certification expires.
- Three additional quarters (9 months), when requested in advance (before the start of the quarter), for medical or family leave, natural disaster, or other situation beyond an individual’s control. The quarters may be non-consecutive. Documentation must be provided.
Leave requests must be made in writing via email to certlink@abnm.org.
If leave is not requested per this policy, or not granted, unanswered questions will be given a score of zero, and be included in a diplomate’s final score for the CertLink cycle used for recertification.