OLA FAQs
Last verified on January 16, 2020
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- When do I start using OLA?
- When does OLA begin for my specialty certificate?
- When does OLA begin for my medical subspecialty (CAQ)?
- How should I study for OLA?
- How does OLA fit within the MOC program?
- Will I still get to choose the clinical practice areas included in my exam?
- I recently took and passed an MOC exam. Will I be required to participate in OLA?
- I hold a subspecialty certificate. How will my practice profile be set?
- How will OLA affect initial certification?
- How will I know if I am passing Part 3?
- How many questions do I have to answer?
- How will I receive questions?
- Will I know if my answer is correct?
- What if my answer is incorrect?
- What happens if I don’t answer a question and the timer runs out?
- How often may I decline a question?
- Will I have 10 declines throughout the entire year if I do not use them?
- How long will each question be available?
- How many questions do I need to answer correctly?
- What if I don’t answer 52 questions during the year?
- Will I be able to see if I am meeting the standard throughout the year?
- When will the ABR start evaluating my OLA performance?
- What if I answer 200 questions in two years and not the more typical four years? Do I just continue answering questions?
- If I am not meeting the OLA passing standard, when will my MOC status change to “not meeting?”
- If I am “not meeting,” can I answer more questions to upgrade my MOC status? How soon will it change?
- Will CME credit be given for participation in OLA?
- What devices, browsers, and operating systems are compatible with OLA?”
- What about mobile support?
- Do I need to answer the included survey questions before I get my answer?
When do I start using OLA?
Diagnostic radiology begins in January 2019 and interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, medical physics, and radiation oncology follow in January 2020.When does OLA begin for my specialty certificate?
Diagnostic radiology in January 2019 and interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, medical physics, and radiation oncology in January 2020.When does OLA begin for my medical subspecialty (CAQ)?
Diplomates with sub-specialties of neuroradiology, nuclear radiology, and pediatric radiology begin when their specialty starts OLA. For diagnostic radiology, January 2019; and for interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, January 2020. For diplomates who have converted their diagnostic radiology certificate to IR/DR, OLA starts in January 2020. OLA is not available for a hospice and palliative or a pain medicine certificate. Those diplomates must take a traditional exam.How should I study for OLA?
The goal with all OLA content is that diplomates won't have to study. All content is intended to be "walking-around knowledge," or answers the average diplomate should know.How does OLA fit within the MOC program?
OLA will fulfill the Part 3 requirement, replacing the 10-year MOC exam. Diplomates will need to continue to attest to meeting Part 1, 2, and 4 requirements each year between January 1 and March 1.Will I still get to choose the clinical practice areas included in my exam?
Yes, practice profile rules for diagnostic radiologists will not change. Diagnostic radiology diplomates without a subspecialty will be able to choose up to three practice areas in which to receive questions. Radiation oncology, medical physics, and interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology diplomates will not have the ability to select clinical practice areas.I recently took and passed an MOC exam. Will I be required to participate in OLA?
Yes, all diplomates will be required to participate in OLA when it becomes available for their specialty regardless of when their last MOC exam was passed.I hold a subspecialty certificate. How will my practice profile be set?
Since you are maintaining a subspecialty certificate, your practice profile will be set for that subspecialty and can’t be modified.How will OLA affect initial certification?
This change will not impact the ABR’s initial certification exams for diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, medical physics, or any subspecialties.What if my answer is incorrect?
You will receive a similar question on the same topic in the future.How will I know if I am passing Part 3?
A passing threshold will be applied when approximately 200 questions have been answered. Since a diplomate need only answer 52 items a year, it will take several years to reach the target.How many questions do I have to answer?
- For a DR certificate only or a DR certificate and one subspecialty: a minimum of 52 questions a year.
- For a DR certificate and two or more subspecialties: a minimum of 52 questions per year for each subspecialty certificate.
- For IR/DR only: a minimum of 52 questions a year.
- For IR/DR and any subspecialty certificate(s): a minimum of 52 questions for your IR/DR certificate and 52 for any subspecialty certificate you are maintaining per year.
- For RO: a minimum of 52 questions a year.
- For MP: a minimum of 52 questions a year for each specialty certificate.