Are ONC-Authorized Certification Bodies (ONC-ACBs) required to perform gap certification under the ONC HIT Certification Program?
Answer:
No. We stated in the Permanent Certification Program final rule (76 FR 1291) that gap certification would be an option for ONC-ACBs and that it would be left to the discretion of each ONC-ACB as to whether to offer gap certification. We emphasize, however, that if an ONC-ACB decides to offer gap certification, it must conduct gap certification according to regulatory requirements and should be aware of ONC guidance under the ONC HIT Certification Program. ONC-ACBs should also offer gap certification according to procedures that are available to any EHR technology developer that would seek certification from the ONC-ACB and provide clear and equitable treatment of EHR technology developers’ requests for gap certification.