Knowledge Sources for the 2026 ABOS WLA will be posted to eligible Diplomates’ ABOS Dashboards on January 9, 2026. The Administration Window is 9 am ET on April 3 to 6 pm ET on May 22, 2026.
The ABOS Web-Based Longitudinal Assessment Pathway (ABOS WLA) allows Diplomates to answer questions relevant to their everyday practice at a time that works for them, using their own computer, in whatever location they prefer.
Each January, the ABOS posts more than 200 Knowledge Sources from all areas of orthopaedic surgery onto the ABOS Dashboard of Diplomates eligible to participate that year. These Knowledge Sources—journal articles, practice guidelines, AUCs, and other similar options—were chosen by practicing orthopaedic surgeons from across the country who were selected by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and orthopaedic subspecialty societies. Diplomates may view all of the Knowledge Sources, but will pick 15 of these Knowledge Sources to study in-depth. These 15 Knowledge Sources will be the sources for your ABOS WLA questions.
In April, the Assessment Window opens for Diplomates to answer questions delivered randomly based on the Knowledge Sources that they have chosen. For those who want to participate, there is a $260 assessment fee for each year of participation ($300 for those who hold a Subspecialty Certificate). The fee is paid at the time the Diplomate begins answering questions.
Diplomates have 3 minutes to answer each multiple choice question and can answer as many questions in one sitting as desired, as long as all 30 questions are answered during the assessment window. Two questions come from each Knowledge Source, and Diplomates know prior to seeing each question from which Knowledge Source it will come. The assessment is open-book and Diplomates can use the Knowledge Sources, as long as the questions are answered within the 3-minute window and that the answer represents the Diplomate’s own work.
Diplomates who correctly answer at least 24 questions receive a Quality Year. Diplomates need to earn 5 Quality Years by the end of their 8th year in their ABOS Continuing Certification cycle in order to complete the Knowledge Assessment portion.
Diplomates who choose not to participate or who do not successfully complete the ABOS WLA Pathway will still have the opportunity to pass an ABOS Oral or Computer-Based Recertification Examination.
Diplomates who hold a Surgery of the Hand and/or Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Subspecialty Certification can recertify both their Subspecialty and General Certificates by selecting at least five Knowledge Sources in each Subspecialty.
The ABOS WLA Pathway meets the Part III requirement of the ABOS MOC program. Diplomates still must meet the other requirements of the ABOS MOC process. This includes completion of an Professional Standing Update, Fee, Case List, and earning the requisite Continuing Medical Education and Self-Assessment Examination credits. You can view all MOC requirements by Board Certification expiration year here.
You must have an unexpired ABOS Board Certificate to participate in the ABOS WLA Pathway. Those Diplomates who hold a time-unlimited Certificate and a Subspecialty Certificate can participate in the ABOS WLA Pathway and will utilize the ABOS WLA Pathway to recertify both their General Orthopaedic Recertification and their Subspecialty Certification. Diplomates in non-operative and non-practicing practices must contact the ABOS for the application requirements.
The ABOS does not provide CME credits for the ABOS WLA Pathway. However, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons does as explained below and all questions regarding ABOS WLA Pathway CME should be addressed to them.
Accreditation and Designation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The ABOS WLA Pathway is approved for 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per year of participation. The ABOS WLA Pathway CME will be posted to the participant’s AAOS transcript approximately 4-6 weeks after the ABOS WLA Pathway testing window closes on May 23rd. The credits will need to be claimed by the participant on their AAOS transcript and once claimed will be auto transferred to the participant’s ABOS Dashboard.
