Maintenance of Certification: Current Status and Future Considerations

Abstract

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is the process by which a board-certified physician in the United States demonstrates on an ongoing basis his/her continuing expertise in the chosen specialty. The MOC process was defined by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in 2000. The need for and the structure of the MOC program were based on empiric evidence collected from the scientific and educational literature. The program is continually evaluated for performance on how it serves individual diplomates, member boards, and the public.

This chapter will discuss the state of affairs at the time MOC was conceived of, the circumstances and data felt to support its inception, the current structure of the ABMS MOC program with emphasis on the ABCRS program requirements, and the collected information to date examining the performance of the MOC program. Attempt will be made to examine in detail the challenges encountered by member boards and diplomates. More recent developments will be discussed, as well as possible future areas of interest and development regarding the ABMS MOC program and the ABCRS program in particular.