ABIM Recertification | Maintenance of Certification MOC Process

Education & Recertification

ABIM Maintenance of Certification Process

ABIM has announced changes to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process for board certified internal medicine specialists and subspecialists, effective January 2014. Beginning in 2014, ABIM will report two credentials for board-certified internists: whether you are Board Certified, and whether you are Meeting MOC Requirements. If you are not sure how the changes will affect you, check out the details at the ABIM website. The ABIM MOC requirements vary slightly depending on when your current internal medicine or subspecialty certification expires. Keep in mind that the same MOC points can apply to each certificate you renew; for example, internal medicine and a subspecialty certificate. In other words, you only need to earn 100 points no matter how many certificates you renew.

Meeting MOC Requirements overview:

If your certification expires in 2013
If your certification expires in 2014 – 2017
All Others: If your certification expires after 2017 or you have a lifetime certificate

If your certification expires in 2013:

If you haven’t already done so, enroll in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program and pay the enrollment fee (you must enroll in MOC before August 1 in order to be eligible to register for a fall MOC exam)
Earn 100 self-evaluation points by 12/31/13 (see ACP resources)

At least 20 in Medical Knowledge
At least 20 in Practice Assessment
60 in either area

Register for the ABIM exam no later than August 15 (ABIM exam schedule for Fall 2013)
Study for the exam with the help of ACP Resources and succeed!

Upon successful completion of the above steps, assuming you hold a current and valid license, you will be board certified for 10 years.

To be classified as Meeting MOC Requirements: Between January and March 31, 2014, you will need to activate your enrollment in ABIM’s MOC program and begin meeting the new MOC requirements (see details below for “all others”).

If your certification expires in 2014-2017:

Enroll in the ABIM Maintenance of Certification program and pay the enrollment fee, if you have not already done so.
Activate your enrollment in the MOC program through the ABIM between January and March 31, 2014.
Meet the existing program requirements by the expiration date on your certificate(s): Earn 100 self-evaluation points by the end of your current certification year (see ACP resources)

At least 20 in Medical Knowledge
At least 20 in Practice Assessment
60 in either area
Important note: points earned before 1/1/14 will count toward maintaining your existing certificate(s) but will not count toward the new “Meeting MOC Requirements” category. Some may be better off waiting until after January 2014 to submit activities for medical knowledge and practice assessment points so that they count toward both sets of requirements.

Register for the ABIM exam
Study for the exam with the help of ACP Resources and succeed!

Upon successful completion of the above steps and assuming you hold a current and valid license, you will be board certified contingent upon “Meeting MOC Requirements” each year.

To be classified as Meeting MOC Requirements before your current certificate expires:

Earn some MOC points every 2 years and begin working toward the requirement to earn 100 MOC points every 5 years (see next point).
All diplomates, regardless of when their current certification expires, will need to complete some ABIM MOC activity by the end of 2015, and a total of 100 points by the end of 2018 in order to meet the new MOC requirements.

To be classified as Meeting MOC Requirements after your current certificate expires: Pay the annual or 10-year fee to the ABIM and earn 100 MOC points every 5 years (starting in 2014) as follows:

You will earn 20 points for each first exam attempt in each certification area (the exam is a 10-year requirement)
at least 20 points in medical knowledge
at least 20 points in practice assessment
Complete a patient survey
Complete an approved patient safety module
Balance of points can be in either medical knowledge or practice assessment

If your certification expires after 2017 or you have a lifetime certificate:

Activate your enrollment in the new MOC program through ABIM between January and March 31, 2014 and pay the annual or 10-year fee to ABIM.
Earn 100 MOC points every 5 years (starting in 2014) as follows (see ACP Resources):

at least 20 points in medical knowledge
at least 20 points in practice assessment
Complete a patient survey
Complete an approved patient safety module
20 points for each secure exam you take (points awarded for first attempt)
Balance of points can be in either medical knowledge or practice assessment

Take and pass the ABIM exam within 10 years of your certification year or by 2023 for those with a lifetime certificate, and every 10 years thereafter.

What is ACP’s role vs. that of ABIM?

ABIM is an independent organization and its certification programs adhere to common standards established by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ACP recognizes the medical profession’s responsibility to ensure quality medical care and supports the concept of lifelong learning and professional accountability. ACP believes that methods of internal medicine recertification should be relevant to a variety of practice settings, not redundant, and accommodate different learning styles and be sensitive to cost and time. ACP maintains a collaborative, collegial relationship with ABIM for the good of our members and meets regularly with ABIM staff and governance leaders. However, ACP does not review, edit, comment or vote on certification or recertification requirements promulgated by the ABIM. Given our commitment to lifelong learning and high quality care, we strive to assure that ACP members understand the requirements of Maintenance of Certification and have access to effective education to help them with certification and MOC requirements.

Once you’ve enrolled in the ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification program, you can turn to ACP for help earning the required points and preparing thoroughly for the internal medicine recertification exam. You’re in good company when you use our reliable resources. Many internists report that they found the MOC process more fulfilling when they used our resources to earn points and keep up to date.