(a) Certification Interrupted by Contingency Operation. - A member of the armed forces described in subsection (b) who completes the board certification or recertification requirements specified in section 302(a)(5), 302b(a)(5), 302c(c)(3), or 302c(d)(4) of this title before the end of the period established for the member in subsection (c) shall be paid special pay under the applicable section for active duty performed during the period beginning on the date on which the member was assigned to duty in support of a contingency operation and ending on the date of that certification or recertification if the Secretary of Defense determines that the member was unable to schedule or complete that certification or recertification earlier because of that duty. (b) Eligible Members Described. - A member of the armed forces referred to in subsection (a) is a member who - (1) is a medical or dental officer or a nonphysician health care provider; (2) has completed any required residency training; and (3) was, except for the board certification requirement, otherwise eligible for special pay under section 302(a)(5), 302b(a)(5), 302c(c)(3), or 302c(d)(4) of this title during a duty assignment in support of a contingency operation. (c) Period for Certification. - The period referred to in subsection (a) for completion of board certification or recertification requirements with respect to a member of the armed forces is the 180-day period (extended for such additional time as the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate) beginning on the date on which the member is released from the duty to which the member was assigned in support of a contingency operation.