FAQ III:
What are the requirements for MOC?
As a time-lmited certificat holder, what do I have to do for MOC? When did the MOC requirements clock start "ticking?" What is the basic structure of the MOC program and requirements? What are the licensure requirements related to the first component, Professional Standing? What are the Continuing Education and SAM requirements related to the second component, Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment? What are the exam requirements related to the third component, Cognitive Expertise? What are the project requirements related to the fourth component, Practice Quality Improvement? What are the requirements if i am chosen for a random audit?
Responses
You are automatically enrolled in the program. To view your requirements, please see Timelines & Fees .
You must:
- Establish your Personal Data Base (PDB) page on the ABR's interactive web site. To do this you need to have your ABR identification number and a confirmation code which you may obtain by contacting MOC division staff at the ABR office by phone, 1-520-519-2152, or by email
- Keep your state license (if applicable) and personal contact information (mailing, phone number, email address) up to date - you may do this on your PDB.
- Begin accumulating Continuing Education and Self-Assessment Module (SAM) credits and start learning about Practice Quality Improvement.
- Frequently check the ABR website for MOC information, SAMs availability, etc.
When did the MOC requirements clock start "ticking?"
Each diplomate's cycle began the day he or she earned a time-limited certificate. However, since the MOC program is being phased-in, the diplomates in this transition period will have prorated MOC requirements in lifelong learning and self-assessment, and in practice performance; they must, however, fully satisfy the components of professional standing and cognitive expertise. Fees are likewise prorated.
For lifelong learning and self-assessment and for practice quality improvement, full requirements began in 2007, although credits earned earlier in a diplomate's cycle may also be counted. (Note: Continuing education credits were required in 2006 also.)
For lifetime certificate holders, credits earned up to one year before enrollment may be applied to MOC requirements. The number of credits required for a cycle ending in 2015 or earlier is calculated by multiplying the per-year recommended number of credits by the number of years from 2007 to the end of the cycle. See timelines .
What is the basic structure of the MOC program and requirements?
NMOC requires that each diplomate provide evidence of maintaining the essential competencies involved in delivery of quality care, which extends beyond practice knowledge. It is designed to evaluate, on a continuous basis, the maintenance of the six essential competencies via a four component structure. The six MOC Competencies:
- Practice knowledge
- Patient care
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Professionalism
- Practice-based learning and improvement
- Systems-based practice
The four MOC Components:
- Professional Standing
- Lifelong Learning and Periodic Self-Assessment
- Cognitive Expertise
- Practice Quality Improvement
What are the licensure requirements related to the first component, Professional Standing?
- Documentation of a valid, unrestricted license to practice medical physics in a state requiring licensure of medical physicists; or, if not licensed,
- Letters of attestation from a certified medical physicist and an ABR-certified radiologist or radiation oncologist. The requested statements will attest to the diplomate's active involvement in the discipline of medical physics with specific focus on the six competencies.
Forms to provide guidance and to assist in the attestation process will be posted on the ABR web site. Diplomates may enter the names of their chosen attestors during year 5 of their respective MOC cycles, and requests for attestation will be sent out by the ABR in year 6.
If I have a restriction applied to my license/certificate to practice, what must I do?
You must notify the ABR immediately and provide details about the restriction. Diplomates have the affirmative obligation to notify the ABR of any and all restrictions placed on any of their licenses and certifications, and to provide the ABR with complete information concerning such restrictions within 60 days after their imposition. If the restriction is for significant practice-related reasons, certification will be withdrawn. If the restrictions are administrative, the certificate will stand.
What are the Continuing Education and SAM requirements related to the second component, Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment?
PLEASE NOTE: the requirements described below apply to diplomates with MOC cycles beginning in 2006 and later. If your MOC cycle begins earlier than 2006, please refer to Timelines & Fees to review your requirements.
Lifelong Learning:
Diplomates should have begun to attain approved continuing education credits (category 1 equivalent) in 2006. Medical Physics Continuing Education Credits (MPCECs) are awarded for educational functions approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) or other recognized accrediting organizations awarding equivalent Category 1 credit (e.g., ACCME, EFOMP).
A minimum of two hundred and fifty (250) continuing education (CE) credits are required over the 10 year cycle. This is an average of 25 credits per year, starting in 2006 (please refer to Medical Physics Timelines and Fees for clarification if your MOC cycle started prior to 2006). A maximum of 50 CE credits may be claimed in any calendar year.
The CE credit requirement may be satisfied by taking Category 1 credits (CAMPEP, ACCME), or by taking a combination of Category 1 credits and self-directed educational projects (SDEPs). A maximum of one SDEP may be recorded yearly (not exceeding 15 of the required CE credits per year).
The components of the SDEP include:
- Significance: A statement of the educational need
- Approach: A list of activities designated to address the need
- Evaluation of achievement
- Impact on Practice: Outcome statement
How do I get started on my SDEPs? Is there an organization that is producing them for me to take?
SDEPs are truly self-directed educational projects. They are not being produced by organizations because the concept is that the physicist knows his/her own learning needs, and is thereby most qualified to design the project; the physicist will use the learning approach most suitable, and will incorporate the most appropriate resources in the project.
There are nine example SDEPs to peruse on the website. The outline used for them is the one you should follow. If you would like some reassurance that you are on the right track, you may write up the project (using this example outline form) and email it to the ABR office.
One of the physicists affiliated with the Board will review it and give you feedback.
Can I get CME credit for vendor-offered programs?
If a vendor has Category 1 credit approval, you can include it in your total. If the program is not Category-1 approved, it may be possible to work it in as part of an SDEP. Remember that an SDEP must be defined in writing in advance of the project. The SDEP is the equivalent of 15 hours of work.
Self-Assessment:
Self-assessment is accomplished through a series of Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs), which are also CAMPEP or Category 1-approved activities. Twenty (20) SAMs are required for completion over the ten-year cycle, with an ideal of two per year. Category 1 credit obtained for the SAMs may be used also as part of the 250 credits required for lifelong learning.
To count toward MOC, SAMs must be ABR-qualified. SAMs are for the purpose of individual self-assessment and directing further lifelong learning activities, and must include instructional content relevant to practice in one of the following categories of medical physics: general, clinical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or medical nuclear. Over the ten-year MOC cycle, at least four SAMs (or 20%) must pertain to your certification area. If you are certified in more than one category, at least four SAMs (or 20% or the total) must be chosen from each certification area. The remainder may be chosen from any topic relevant to your practice.
SAMs are developed by medical physics-related societies and other qualified organizations, and each SAM includes at least five multiple-choice questions. Feedback to the diplomate consists of correct answers, evaluation of performance in the participating group, and relevant references and discussion. There is no passing score requirement.
Individual scores are not to be entered into the ABR database, but remain confidential to the diplomate. The diplomate is responsible for documenting successful completion of the SAMs during the ten-year period and for validating and recording self-assessment activity data.
I am a busy, practicing radiologic physicist and have difficulty getting away for meetings. How can I satisfy my MOC lifelong learning and self-assessment requirement?
These components are self-directed based on your practice. The MOC program is designed to enable the diplomate to earn credits for on-the-job learning with self-documentation of activities and creation of a personal learning plan. Required activities may be obtained through many distributed sources. Some institutions also require similar activities for credentialing, which can be counted as fulfilling part of the requirement for ABR-MOC. Online Category 1 offerings, as well as self-directed SDEP credits provide flexibility for busy physicists with many demands on their time.
What documentation must I provide to the ABR?
All of your progress in fulfilling MOC requirements should be entered into your Personal Data Base (PDB) page on the interactive web site provided by the ABR for MOC diplomates. For component 1, enter your license information (if applicable) and keep it current; or, if not licensed, follow the instructions for the attestation process. For component 2, enter your Category 1 and SAM credits (or, it may be entered automatically if you participate in the CME Gateway and authorize your society credits to be transmitted to the ABR). You will self-enter your SDEP credits.
What are the exam requirements related to the third component, Cognitive Expertise?
Diplomates are expected to maintain the essentials of core knowledge fundamental to the practice of medical physics, and to remain up-to-date on evolving technologies, protocols, procedures and techniques involving applications of physics in medicine. Fulfillment of these expectations will be evaluated by a proctored, timed, closed-book examination that is required once for each diplomate during the ten-year period.
You will take one (1) exam during your 10-year MOC cycle, to be scheduled during the eighth, ninth or tenth year. Specific details about the cognitive exam include the following:
- Proctored, secure, administered in a nationally-recognized computer testing center.
- New exams will be offered once each year.
- Multiple-choice format covering core knowledge (approximately 30%) and current evolving technologies (approximately 70%).
- If you fail an exam, you will have the opportunity to take the examination offered in the next year.
- Multiple certificate holders must complete the exam for each of the disciplines for which they hold certificates.
- The exam will become available to diplomates in 2010.
Why doesn't the ABR provide a web-based exam? The inconvenience and incidental costs of having to travel to take an exam are significant.
From the earliest planning of the ABR-MOC program, the trustees wanted to provide a web-based examination. However, a major unresolved concern of the medical specialty boards comprising ABMS is that of diplomate identification.
Each board must positively verify the identity of every examinee and assure that the examinee is responding unaided. Although retinal scanners and electronic fingerprint technology exist, they are expensive and not generally available on home PCs. Even with the technology, a system of proctoring would still be required to guarantee that the specified diplomate is truly the one taking the examination.
Even though a web-based exam is not currently possible, the ABR has moved toward greater convenience and lower-cost travel for diplomates by providing exams in a network of professional testing centers located in every state. When the first cohort of radiologic physicists with time-limited certificates is eligible for examination in 2010, nearly all should be accommodated at a testing center within 75 miles of their homes.
What are the project requirements related to the fourth component, Practice Quality Improvement (PQI)?
All Medical Physics diplomates must be trained in the process and procedures of quality improvement as they affect an individual's practice of Medical Physics. Training courses will be presented at national meetings and will be available in virtual libraries.
The individual program of Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) will require action and assessment over the 10-year MOC cycle. Within the first three years, diplomates must have documented training in the Quality Improvement process and techniques. In addition, diplomates must initiate a PQI program. The diplomate will engage in at least one PQI project over the 10-year cycle. Progress in the PQI program will be reviewed in year 4 and 7 of each diplomate's respective cycle.
Example PQI programs for each of the 3 sections of Medical Physics will be disseminated in the near future. The ABR will review and qualify national programs developed by professional societies for fulfillment of the criteria of Part IV. In addition, diplomates can formulate and execute specific PQI projects of their own design that would satisfy the PQI requirements in achieving continuous quality improvement within the individual practice.
What are the requirements if I am chosen for a random audit?
If you are chosen for a random audit, you must achieve a compliance status before your certificate can be renewed.
For more information see the MOC policies and procedures page .
