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MOC Requirements
Maintenance of Certification (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
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Timeframe
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 will be slightly different for each group of diplomates. Please refer to the MOC
timeframe chart to determine the specific requirements for each group of diplomates.
- Evidence of Professional Standing
Diplomates must hold a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories or Canadian provinces where their practice of medicine is regularly conducted and in each other place in which they practice or have practiced.
Diplomates are not required to submit a copy of their current registration to practice medicine; however, diplomates will be required to submit current licensure information when registering for MOC components. The American Board of Medical Specialties, in conjunction with the Federation of State Medical Licensing Boards, provides all Boards with disciplinary action status on all Candidates and diplomates. Therefore, the ABO will monitor the electronic notification of disciplinary sanctions imposed on the licenses of diplomates.
- Evaluation of Practice Performance
The Evaluation of Practice Performance requires completion of the Office Record Review (ORR). The ORR is a self review of clinical practice utilizing 15 current patient records. The ORR consists of 37 modules that encompass practice patterns related to different ophthalmic diagnoses (ORR modules). To complete the ORR, diplomates review 15 of their patient records according to three ORR modules of choice (five records for each module). This self-review assesses the quality of practice via documentation of appropriate measurements, diagnosis, management, treatment and follow-up.
The ORR is available to eligible diplomates online, on-demand via the Online Services Center. Diplomates have 30 days to complete the online ORR and will receive instant feedback. For more information on the ORR,
click here.
- Evidence of a Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment: Parts A and B
Part A: Continuing Medical Education
An average of 30 Category 1 CME credits per year from an Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) approved organization as of the date of certification and throughout the 10 year MOC cycle is required. Three hours must be in ethics and 80 percent must be in ophthalmology. CMEs are collected at the time of application for the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK).
For complete details on the CME requirement,
click here.
Part B. Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORT)
The PORT is a series of 50-item, online self-review tests in core ophthalmic knowledge (knowledge considered fundamental to the practice of ophthalmology regardless of the practice emphasis) and 10 practice emphasis areas. Ultimately, all diplomates will be required to complete two PORTs during the MOC cycle: one in core ophthalmic knowledge and one in a practice emphasis area of choice. However, the requirements for each group of diplomates are different during the
transition to MOC. There is no fee for participation in two PORTs: one core and one practice emphasis area.
Content of the PORT exams reflects the content of the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) examination. Diplomates have 30 days to complete the online PORT and will receive instant feedback. Participation in PORT is designed to help gauge strengths and weaknesses prior to sitting for the closed-book DOCK exam and there is no limit to the number of PORTs a diplomate can take. For complete details on the PORTs,
click here.
- Evidence of Cognitive Expertise
To satisfy the Evidence of Cognitive Expertise requirement for MOC, diplomates must successfully complete the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) examination. The DOCK is a secure, proctored, 150-item examination administered at approximately 230 computerized testing centers for a period of one month each year in September. DOCK consists of one 50-item module on core ophthalmic knowledge and two 50-item modules drawn from 10 practice emphasis areas. Diplomates must complete the DOCK once during the MOC cycle. For complete details on the DOCK,
click here.
Ten Year MOC Cycle
The MOC process is designed to be completed over the 10 year certification cycle. Ultimately, each component will be completed in a specific timeframe:
- Office Record Review (ORR) once in years 3-4;
- Two Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORT) in years 5-7; and
- Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) once in years 8-10.
During the transition from recertification to MOC, the components and their required timeframe will be slightly different for each group of diplomates. Please refer to the MOC
timeframe chart to determine the specific requirements for each group of
diplomates.
Maintenance of Certification Brochure: details the Board’s maintenance of certification procedures, policies, fees, and exam dates and deadlines. Click here for the 2008 MOC Brochure. |
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