MOC
What is the intent of the ABO's Maintenance of Certification
process?
The intent of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process of the American
Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is to provide assurance to the public and to the
medical profession that certified physicians continue educational activities,
keep current in information and skills, and practice in a contemporary and safe
manner. The evaluation is designed to assess the knowledge, experience and
skills requisite to the delivery of high standards of patient care in
Ophthalmology.
What is the MOC process?
MOC consists of the four components listed below:
- Evidence of Professional Standing
- Evaluation of Practice Performance
- Evidence of a Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment
- Evidence of Cognitive Expertise
Click here
for a full description of the MOC components.
What are my requirements and timeframe for completing MOC?
Diplomates who wish to maintain their Board certification must complete
the MOC requirements in specified timeframes during the ten year cycle
of their current certificate. While transitioning from recertification
to MOC, the components and their required timeframe are slightly
different for each group of diplomates. Please refer to the MOC
timeframe chart to determine the specific requirements for each group of
diplomates.
Click here for timeframe chart.
How do I access the ABO's MOC Components?
To access the interactive features, users must login with an ABO-designated
username and password. The ABO mails usernames and passwords to candidates and
diplomates as they are eligible to register or apply for current Board
activities. Usernames and passwords are mailed only to diplomates who are
eligible to participate in the current MOC components. To find out your username
and password, click
here.
How do I obtain my Username and password for use in accessing the Online
MOC Center?
The ABO mails usernames and passwords to candidates and diplomates as they are
eligible to register or apply for current Board activities. To find out your
username and password,
click here.
Why did the ABO change from a recertification process to a Maintenance of
Certification process?
In March 2000, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) issued a
statement expressing the commitment of the 24 medical specialty boards to the
process of MOC to expand on and replace recertification. The change represents
the ABO's commitment to better fulfill its mission to serve the public by
improving the quality of ophthalmic practice through a process of certification
and maintenance of certification that fosters excellence and encourages
continuous learning.
MOC is a direct response to the rapidly changing environment of medical
practice, increased demand by patients for consistent quality medical care from
their doctors and formation of healthcare industry and payer-based organizations
aimed at measuring physician competence. These organizations are reacting to a
perceived lack of quality care that may lead to the profession's loss of
freedom to set its own professional standards while also burdening already busy
physicians by fragmenting the processes of quality care measurement. MOC strives
to provide a continuous, streamlined process that will support a physicians'
goals of staying current in information and skills while also providing them
with a valuable certification of continued quality care.
Why did the MOC examination change from an open-book take-home exam to a
proctored, computerized exam?
The ABO is greatly concerned about the impact of its decisions regarding the MOC
process on the lives and careers of ophthalmologists. The decision to change
from an open-book, take-home examination to a closed-book, computerized
proctored examination was based primarily on the recognition of the value of the
certificate within the public domain. Public concern about the continued
competence of board certified physicians has prompted significant change not
only within the medical specialty board arena, but throughout the medical
community. Many state medical licensing boards now require Board certification
or recertification within the last ten years in order to obtain licensure by
endorsement in that state and other organizations are now recognizing the value
of recertification. In addition, state medical licensing boards are increasingly
asking for a proctored examination. For more information on the computer-based
MOC examination,
click here.
Can I participate in MOC if my certificate is not time-limited?
While the ABO does not require diplomates who hold non time-limited certificates
to participate in MOC, the ABO does believe in the value of MOC and encourages
all diplomates to participate. Since 2001, it has been ABO policy that all newly
elected Board Directors become recertified upon acceptance of the appointment.
As of January 2006, all ABO Board Directors have either recertified or are
currently participating in the MOC process.
Diplomates who hold a non time-limited certificate (certified prior to 1992)
and who wish to voluntarily participate in MOC must submit an enrollment form to
initiate participation in MOC. Non time-limited diplomates who complete the MOC
process will receive a recertification certificate valid for ten years in
addition to their non time-limited certificate, which will not be affected.
MOC enrollment forms are accepted February-May 1 of each year.
Will my certificate expire earlier if I complete the renewal process
before it expires?
No. Requirements for certificate renewal can be achieved before or after the
expiration date of the time-limited certificate; renewal is for ten years from
the expiration of the previous certificate or ten years from the date of
completion of the requirements, whichever is later.
Why do I have to recertify and my colleagues do not?
The ABO recognizes the disparity between those diplomates who hold non
time-limited certificates and those who must recertify every 10 years. Prior to
1992, the board issued certificates that did not have an expiration date and is
legally constrained from imposing one now. The ABO believes in the value of
maintenance of certification for all diplomates. Today, only time-limited
certificates are issued by the 24 primary or conjoint boards.
