If you are a time-limited certificate holder, you are automatically enrolled in MOC. In order to maintain continuous certification after the ten year period of your present certificate, you must participate in MOC fully now, during this cycle. Check the appropriate web pages at www.theabr.org for specific requirements and timelines.

If you are a lifetime certificate holder, you may enroll voluntarily in MOC. See "Why does the ABR have an MOC program and why should I participate?" for benefits of participation.

Time-limited certificates were first issued as follows:

You are enrolled. The 10-year MOC cycle began December 31 of the year you were certified. If you certified previous to the launch of the MOC program, you are entering the program with less than a full 10 years to complete the requirements (your requirements and fees will be prorated accordingly). If you are newly certifying, you must start compliance with MOC requirements immediately following your certification. Be sure you notify us of any change in your contact information.

It is true that diplomates who have lifetime certificates are not required to maintain certification. Lifetime certificates were awarded legally and in good faith. It is not possible, nor appropriate, to change the certification status of such diplomates. However, lifetime certificate holders are strongly encouraged to enter the ABR-MOC Program. For individuals who do so, their lifetime certificates will remain in effect, no matter what the outcome of the MOC process. All ABR trustees are required to participate in MOC and to maintain certification through the ABR-MOC process.

It is recognized that an administrator, dean, or practitioner who has limited medical physics activity, or someone who is engaged in research or taking a hiatus from practice, may have special circumstances. The ABMS and the ABR have resolved to formulate tracks to meet the various career paths. While a diplomate in an administrative position may not have practice data for a Practice Quality Improvement project, that individual may be able to meet the requirement within the learning activities in component 2, Lifelong Learning. Therefore, there is great benefit for any diplomate to participate in the MOC process.

Yes, if you want to keep your options open for obtaining another 10-year certificate after the expiration of your current certificate. No, if you are certain that you will not want or need another certificate. In that case, even if you do not participate, your present certificate is valid through its expiration date. If you plan to work part-time after retirement, or might want to go back to work for a period of time, the best way to assure that you have the certification you may need until the time you fully retire, is to participate in MOC now. Because progress in MOC must be continuous, it is not an option to do nothing for 6, 7, 8, or 9 years, and plan to catch-up in a few years at the end of the cycle. On the other hand, at any time in your cycle that you make a definite decision that you will not need certification after your present certificate, you may inform the ABR that you no longer wish to participate in MOC, and stop all payments and recording of activities at that point.

No, but hopefully you will! Your lifetime certificate remains valid. However, you are strongly encouraged to participate in the MOC process to demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning, and to document achievements in your continuing professional development. It also may be a necessary component of your continuing to practice, as state and federal agencies, hospitals and payers are increasingly requiring evidence of certificate maintenance (e.g., the 10-year rule). The ABR will always support the lifetime certificate, but the states, payers and those who grant clinical privileges are independent and may impose their own conditions on eligibility for specific privileges.

Your lifetime certificate is not at risk by entering MOC. If you fulfill all MOC requirements during the 10 full calendar years following the date you enrolled, you will be issued an additional 10-year, time-limited certificate attesting to your successful completion of the "maintenance of certification" program. Your original lifetime certificate remains fully valid, even if you would drop out of MOC participation or not fulfill all of the requirements within the 10-year cycle. You will not lose your lifetime certificate.