| |
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Frequently Asked Questions
When did ABC start/stop?
ABC was the major method of recertification from 1998 to December 2007. Starting in 2008, it will be one of the four components of MOC.
When did the June, Six-year Written Exam stop?
June of 2007.
When does MOC start?
January 1st 2008.
When do I start?
By January of the year your certificate expires. It is recommended that you actually apply as early as November or December. In other words, if your certification expires December 31, 2009, it is recommended that you apply for MOC in November or December 2008 but at least by January of 2009.
My certificate expires in 2008. Am I certified in January 2009?
As long as you start in January 2008 and remain in the MOC program & successfully complete all four components you will have an active certification with ABOG and remain a Diplomate.
What if I fail the Cognitive Expertise Exam when taking it in the sixth year?
You will have a lapse in certification. You will not be certified until you successfully pass the Cognitive Expertise portion of the MOC.
What are my options for remaining certified?
You MUST remain active in the MOC process in order to qualify to sit for the Cognitive Expertise Exam. For this reason, taking Part III in the fifth year of MOC is recommended.
What if I do not remain active in MOC?
ABMS will be notified that you are no longer board certified.
I am "grandfathered"; do I need to start MOC?
No, you may voluntarily participate in Lifetime Learning and Self-Assessment (ABC, Part II) for CME credit only or you may complete the MOC process for voluntary MOC.
Will I receive a label for my wall?
Yes, a yearly label will be given upon successful completion. You will also receive the pass letter in the Fall stating that you are an active candidate in MOC. YOU MUST APPLY EVERY FALL FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S EXAM.
I am "grandfathered" in my general board but not my subspecialty board. How may I remain certified?
You must complete all four MOC components. You must complete the general and subspecialty sections. In other words, you cannot just maintain certification in the subspecialty portion. However, you may maintain your general certification by being "grandfathered" if you no longer want/need subspecialty certification.
What will I be called if I am "grandfathered" & complete the ABC for CME only but don't complete the entire MOC process?
Board certified.
I am an administrator, may I maintain my certification?
Yes, if you complete parts I, II & III of MOC you will have an active certification. You will have an askerisk (*) after your name to show that you are not clinically active.
What if I would like to be clinically active again?
In addition to parts I, II &III you would need to complete part IV of the MOC process.
Do I have to complete all the missed years?
No, you must complete one full year of the MOC process.
I passed the Oral exam in 2007, when do I need to start MOC?
January of 2013.
I'm taking the Oral exam in 2008, when will I start MOC?
You are required to begin MOC immediately in January 2009. Your certification is only valid as long as you maintain it through the MOC process. Upon passing the 2008 Oral exam and/or any future Oral exams the User Id and Password will be included in your Oral Exam Pass Letter. (The January Oral exam is considered part of the previous year.)
I'm not a member of ACOG, will I be allowed to complete Part IV of the MOC?
Yes, there will be an additional fee payable to ACOG.
What is a module?
A short 2-3 page "best practice" document designed to allow the physician to evaluate his/her own practice activities. There are modules in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Office Practice. A physician enrolled in MOC must complete 10 modules in the 6-year cycle. There are also modules in the subspecialties (Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology Infertility, and Gynecologic Oncology). Please see "MOC Simplified" on this web site for a sample module.
May I contact ACOG with questions regarding modules and\or CME credits?
Yes, the contact at ACOG is Megan McReynolds her e-mail address is mmcreynolds@acog.org.
Back to the Top
|
|
|
