Diplomates are responsible for choosing their self-assessment activities, CME activities, and performance in practice components. Completed activities can be applied to multiple certifications thus fulfilling MOC criteria for one or more specialty or subspecialty areas.

The ABPN will audit approximately five percent of the applications submitted for the cognitive examination. Candidates whose applications are audited will receive a letter detailing the documentation required as evidence of completion of stipulated components (professional standing, self-assessment program, CME activities, and Performance in Practice Units) as determined by the phase-in schedule. Failure to return this documentation may result in the denial of the application for the MOC cognitive examination.

• At least an average of 8 of the CME credits per year (averaged over 2-5 years) should involve self-assessment.
• The first self-assessment activity must be completed in years 1-3 of the 10-year MOC cycle.
• The second self-assessment activity must be completed in years 6-8 of the 10-year MOC cycle.
• Feedback must include comparative performance to peers.
• Self-assessment examinations must include no fewer than 25 questions per examination and 2 CME credits per activity.
• The self-assessment examination must take place before the activity.
  

B. CME Activities -- Return to top
Diplomates of the ABPN are required to complete an average of 30 specialty or subspecialty Category 1 CME credits per year over the 10-year MOC cycle. CME activities must be accredited by ACCME or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and CME must be relevant to the specialty in which the diplomate is certified. Diplomates certified in more than one area only need to accrue an average of 30 CME credits per year, as the same CME credits can be used to satisfy the MOC requirements for multiple specialties and subspecialties. This requirement was phased in beginning in 2006 for those applying for 2007 MOC examinations.

When this component is fully implemented in 2014:

• At least an average of 8 of the CME credits per year (averaged over 2-5 years) should involve self-assessment.
• 150 CME credits must be earned during the first 5-year block of the 10-year MOC cycle,
• 150 CME credits must be earned during the second 5-year block of the 10-year MOC cycle,
• Diplomates must accrue 300 Category 1 CME credits over the 10-year MOC cycle.

• The first PIP Unit must be completed in years 1-3 of the 10-year MOC cycle;
• The second PIP Unit must be completed in years 4-6 of the 10-year MOC cycle;
• The third PIP Unit must be completed in years 7-9 of the 10-year MOC cycle.
  

A. Clinical Modules (Chart Review) -- Return to top

• Diplomates are required to collect data from at least five patient cases in a specific category (e.g., diagnosis, type of treatment, treatment setting) obtained from the diplomate’s personal practice over the previous 3-year period.
• A minimum of 4 quality measures must be collected for each Clinical Module.
• Each diplomate must then compare data from the five patient cases with published best practices, or practice guidelines, or peer-based standards of care (e.g., hospital quality improvement programs), and develop a plan to improve effectiveness or efficiency of his/her clinical activities.
• Remeasurement: within 24 months, each diplomate must collect the same data from at least another five clinical cases in the same specific category, to see if improvements in practice have occurred. The same patients may be assessed in the original and follow-up data.
  

B. Feedback Modules (Patient** and Peer* Second Party External Reviews) -- Return to top

• Diplomates must solicit personal performance feedback from at least five peers* and five of their own patients** concerning the diplomate’s clinical activity over the previous three years.
• Diplomate must then identify opportunities for improvement in the effectiveness and/or efficiency in their practice as related to the core competencies and take steps to implement suggested improvements.
• Remeasurement: within 24 months, each diplomate must collect the same data from at least another five peers* and five patients to see if improvements in practice have occurred. Feedback may be obtained from the same or different patients and peers as in the original and follow-up feedback.

* Peers include other professional healthcare staff such as, psychologists, social workers, physicians, counselors, and nurses. ** Patients can include those for which the diplomate supervises the care of another provider (e.g., resident). Model MOC PIP Peer Feedback and MOC PIP Patient Feedback forms are available on the Forms page.