FAQ IV:
What happens if I don't meet all the MOC requirements?
What happens to a time-limited certificate if all MOC requirements are not satisfied during the 10-year cycle? What if I get behind on my CME, SAMs, or PQI project? Can I lose my certificate? How will I know if I'm behind on my requirements? How many opportunities will I have to pass the computer-based examination portions of MOC? What if I fail the exam?
Responses
What happens to a time-limited certificate if not all MOC requirements are satisfied during the 10-year cycle?
The certificate is withdrawn and the diplomate is not listed as certified by the ABR or the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
What if I get behind on my continuing education credits, SAMs, or PQI project? Can I lose my certificate?
Yes, if you get too far behind you could face non-renewal of your certificate at the end of your MOC cycle.
If you don't have too much to make up, you may be able to just complete all of your MOC requirements during your non-certified period, regain certification, and pick up with a new 10-year cycle. The most you can catch up in a year is double the usual rate of progress.
How will I know if I'm behind on my requirements?
You can visit your Personal Data Base (PDB) on the ABR's website and see how the progress you have recorded matches up to the requirements. If you keep the ABR apprised of your current mail and e-mail addresses, you will also receive a progress report on how you are doing with respect to your requirements each year.
In this way you will know if you are lagging behind and what steps you can take to catch up while there is still time. Remember that the ABR will only be able to report to you what you have entered into your PDB, so it is important for you to regularly log into your PDB and enter your progress.
How many opportunities will I have to pass the computer-based examination portions of MOC?
You will take one exam during the course of your 10-year MOC cycle, with three opportunities to take the exam (once in years eight, nine and ten of your cycle).
An exam will be offered once each year. If you do not participate in a given year or if you fail, you must wait until the next year to take another exam.
What if I fail the exams?
The anticipated failure rate is low. Unlike candidates for initial certification, diplomates have practice experience that will help them immensely as they take the exam.
If necessary, you will have three opportunities to take or retake the exam once in each of the last three years of your 10-year MOC cycle.
If you have not passed the exam by the end of your 10-year cycle, your name will be removed from the list of certified diplomates, but you will have opportunities to retake the exam annually up to three years past the end of your 10-year cycle. If you pass the exam during that time period, you will be relisted as certified. If you have not passed the exam three years after the expiration of your certificate, you will be required to repeat the initial oral exam to regain your certification.
