The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) updated several of its standards for specialty boards over recent years. Learn more about ABMS standards and updates.
Changing the name from “Maintenance of Certification” to “Continuing Certification” was one of the standards updates, done in part to more accurately reflect the concept that board certified diplomates do not simply maintain their certification by participating in specialty boards’ continuing certification programs, but they, in fact, are continually increasing their knowledge base and skills in their respective specialties. At ABOG, we believe this standards modification is a positive change and better represents ABOG’s foundational pillar of our diplomates’ pursuits of mastery across the OB GYN specialty and subspecialties.
The transition to “Continuing Certification” will begin in January 2025. You’ll notice the term “Continuing Certification (CC)” replacing “Maintenance of Certification (MOC)” across our website, the ABOG portal, social media, emails, and other communications. While many changes will take effect in January, some updates may roll out progressively throughout 2025.
Additionally, coinciding with the release of the CC program application in mid-January, all staff will begin using continuingcert@abog.org as our primary email address instead of moc@abog.org. Emails accidentally sent to moc@abog.org will automatically redirect to the new CC address.
We will be providing regular updates to all diplomates as these changes take effect to ensure everyone stays informed.
Your current certification status will not be affected by the name change, and the name change will have no bearing on the requirements and processes for maintaining your certification. The change will solely be reflected in the use of the new terminology, “Continuing Certification”, beginning in January 2025 in ABOG communications, documentation, and in digital channels like abog.org and the diplomate portal.