Maintenance of Certification

NABBLM’s Maintenance of Certification program supports the mission of NABBLM by ensuring that diplomates remain current in evidence-based continuing education in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (BFLM).

Maintenance of Certification Requirements

Overview

To maintain NABBLM-C board certification, diplomates must participate in the MOC program which typically begins January 1 of the year following initial board certification. MOC is a continuous program comprised of 5-year cycles, designed to promote longitudinal learning and ensure that diplomates remain current with advances in the field of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (BFLM). Diplomates who do not participate in the MOC program and meet its requirements during the 5 year cycle will lose NABBLM-C board certification 5 years after their exam date; if they are interested in regaining certification, they will need to re-initiate the process as a new applicant.

  • MOC starts the year after certification
  • Runs in 5-year cycles
  • Required to keep certification
  • Must reapply if not maintained
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Requirements

Diplomates must successfully complete 6 knowledge assessments per year. Diplomates will be asked to read a relevant peer-reviewed journal article and comprehension of the article will be evaluated through a knowledge assessment. Knowledge assessments consist of 5 multiple choice questions and are untimed and open-book. A passing score is 80% or higher. Credit will not be awarded for a score below 80%. New knowledge assessments will be released on an annual basis, and will be available through the end of the calendar year in which they were released.

  • 6 articles per year
  • 80% passing score for credit
  • New articles release annually

NABBLM is grateful to our collaborators for providing access to their publications:

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Logo

These materials, including the Protocol(s) and logo, are the copyrighted property of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) and are used with the express permission of ABM.

During each 5-year cycle, diplomates must obtain 30 CME credits or CME-equivalent credits directly related to BFLM.  Diplomates should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In accordance with the NABBLM policy for CME/CME-equivalent credits for new board applications, MOC credits for conferences, coursework, lectures, or journal clubs will only be awarded for content that is taught at a physician level by an MD, DO, MBBS, PhD, or PharmD instructor. Education from non-BFLM focused databases such as from Up-to-Date or Medscape are not acceptable, even when CME is awarded. Diplomates must provide proof of credit with one of the following methods, in order of most preferred to least preferred: CME credit certificate, certificate of participation/attendance, other proof of attendance such as a confirmation email or sign-in sheet. You may submit composite documentation for CME activities offered by a single organization (eg a lecture series with multiple lecture credits shown on a single transcript). Registration confirmations are insufficient proof of attendance.

In accordance with American Medical Association guidelines, CME-equivalent credits will be awarded for the following activities, if directly related to BFLM, as follows:
Teaching a course or delivering a lecture: 4 credits per hour of presentation time. Diplomates must provide a copy of the course/lecture description. Credit can only be claimed once per presentation, and the content must be taught at a physician level.

  • Teaching a course or delivering a lecture: 4 credits per hour of presentation time. Diplomates must provide a copy of the course/lecture description. Credit can only be claimed once per presentation, and the content must be taught at a physician level.
  • Poster presentation, first author: 5 credits per poster. Diplomates must provide a copy of the official conference proceeding showing the full abstract. If that is not available, then they must provide a copy of the abstract and proof of presentation, such as an agenda.
  • Peer-reviewed publication indexed in PubMed, first author or last author: 10 credits per article. Diplomates must provide a link to the article in Pubmed.
  • NABBLM CME-equivalent activities: 2 credits for writing 1 exam question; 1 credit per hour of tech review. These activities must be pre-approved.
  • 30 CME equivalents per 5-year cycle
  • Attend conferences
  • Present a lecture
  • Posters and publications

Uphold NABBLM’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

A board-certified Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician (NABBLM-C):

  • Should never represent themselves either directly or indirectly, as anything other than a NABBLM-C unless they hold other license/certification that allows them to do so. 
  • Should practice within the scope of their knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
  • Will not provide services that are limited by state, provincial, or territorial law to provision by another health care professional only. 
  • Must remain in good standing relative to governmental requirements as a condition of continued credentialing. 
  • Should take credit, including authorship, only for work they have actually performed and give credit to the contributions of others as warranted. 
  • Shall maintain a professional knowledge and skill level required to ensure that patients and families receive excellent medical care based on current evidence by participating in and completing maintenance of certification requirements. 
  • Shall accept no personal compensation from any party that would influence or require special consideration in the provision of care to any patient. 
  • Shall adhere to the principles and aims of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. 
  • Shall cooperate in every reasonable and proper way with other physicians and work with them in the advancement of quality patient care. 
  • Shall be dedicated to providing competent and legally permissible services within the scope of the knowledge and skills of their respective credentials. 
  • Shall provide services with integrity, competence, diligence, and compassion. 
  • Shall provide Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine information in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based science and medicine. 
  • Shall respect the rights of clients, colleagues, and health professionals, and shall safeguard client confidences within the boundaries of the law.
  • Shall maintain confidentiality and do not communicate to a third party not involved in that patient’s care without the prior written consent of the patient or as required by law.
  • Will be truthful about their qualifications and the limitations of their expertise and provide services consistent with their competencies. 
  • Shall provide patient care impartially; provide no special privilege to any individual patient based on the patient’s race, color, creed, sex, sexual preference, gender identity, age, national origin or handicap. 

Applicants or Diplomates will receive a Denial or Revocation of Certification based on the following conduct:

  • Presentation of fraudulent documents or falsifying information when applying for certification or recertification. 
  • Failure to comply with testing policies during the exam. This would include any misconduct during the exam that could end or void the exam immediately, or any incidents that are brought to light through later audit or review. 
  • Using a title, designation, credential or license, company name, letterhead, publication, term, title or document which states or implies an ability, relationship or qualification that does not exist. 
  • Not cooperating with a NABBLM disciplinary investigation or proceeding. 
  • Attempting to prevent or interfere with a complaint being filed or NABBLM disciplinary investigation or proceeding to occur. 
  • Failure to abide by the NABBLM Bylaws or any rules or requirements established by the Board, including, but not limited to, NABBLM’s Ethical Code and Professional Conduct. 
  • Has a license or certificate to practice medicine suspended, revoked, or otherwise limited. 
  • Violation or misuse of any of the NABBLM’s Intellectual Property Rights. 
  • Offering of any financial or other benefit to any director, officer, employee, proctor, or other agent or representative of NABBLM in return for any right, privilege, or benefit which is not usually granted by NABBLM to other similarly situated candidates or persons. 
  • Failing to comply with the continuing requirements for diplomate status.

Annual Fee

  • $200 per year
  • Payment deadline: December 1st
  • Required to access Part 1 content

Join Our Community of Volunteers and Support NABBLM!

Benefits of Volunteerism

  • Advancing Healthcare Standards: Contribute to developing and promoting certification standards in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (BFLM).
  • Professional Growth: Enhance your understanding of breastfeeding and lactation medicine while gaining valuable experience in healthcare-related volunteer work.
  • Pathway to Leadership: Gain insights into board roles and potentially pursue future leadership positions.
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