Continuing Medical Education
What CME credits apply towards the ABO CME requirement for MOC?
The Board accepts only Category 1 CME obtained from an Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)-approved organization.
How do I submit my CME credits?
The ABO offers different CME submission options based on when you submit CME
information and how you submit the CME information. Review the submission
options on the CME
information page to determine the best submission option for you.
Do I have to submit all 300 CME credits when I apply for MOC?
You have two options for CME submission:
One Submission at the Time of DOCK Registration
To complete this option, you must submit a total of 30 credits multiplied by the
year you are planning to sit for the cognitive examination as a requirement for
registration. For example, a diplomate registers for the cognitive exam in the
first year they are eligible, year 8: 8 X 30 = 240 CMEs are due with
registration. If you submit the required amount of CME, you will owe no
additional CME towards MOC.
Two Submissions: One Submission at the Time of DOCK Registration and One
Additional Submission Prior to Successful Completion of the MOC Process
If you do not have the required number of CME at the time of registration, you
must submit a total of 300 CME by the December 31 expiration date of your
current certificate. CME submission will be required once at the time of
registration for the DOCK and again prior to successful completion of the MOC
process.
What qualifies as ethics CME and where can I find ethics CME?
While there are no specific guidelines regarding courses that will satisfy the
ethics requirement, the course should contain the word ethics in the title or be
designated as ethics by the sponsoring organization. Ethics courses can be found
through various institutions; such as bioethics departments of many
universities, community hospitals and medical centers. The American Academy of
Ophthalmology (AAO) also has an active ethics program which offers courses at
its annual meetings and on its web site:
www.aao.org.
The ABO does not accept risk management or medico legal courses as ethics
courses. Please note, even if an ACCME-sponsored organization designates a
specific course as ethics, the ABO reserves the right to accept or reject any
course submitted as ethics based on course content. Diplomates can submit
documentation on the content of CME courses to the ABO office for further review
as ethics.
Will the ABO audit my CME submission?
The ABO does not require individual CME certificates; however, the Board
reserves the right to verify CME by asking for documentation.
