FAQs for Lifetime Certificate Holders

 

I passed the initial board exams before 2002 and have a lifetime certificate. Do I have to participate in the MOC process?

No. Your lifetime certificate remains valid as long as your state medical license(s) remains current and unrestricted. 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. In addition, if you relocate to another state, your state, payers, or healthcare organization may require you to have been reexamined at some point within the past 10 years. The ABR will always support the lifetime certificate, but the states, payers, and those who grant clinical privileges are independent and may not do so.  

As a lifetime certificate holder, how do I enroll in MOC and begin the process?

Diplomates with lifetime certificates may voluntarily enroll in the program to begin the MOC process. Enrollment can be completed by logging into myABR. You will need your ABR ID number to set up your account in myABR.  

If I enter the MOC program and I don't meet all requirements, do I lose my lifetime certificate?

Your lifetime certificate is not put at risk by your entering MOC. You will be reported as “meeting the requirements” of MOC once you have completed your first MOC attestation in myABR. Your original lifetime certificate remains fully valid, even if you drop out of MOC participation or do not fulfill all of the requirements.  

I am a lifetime certificate holder who is more than 10 years past my original certification date. I need to recertify because it is required by the state to which I want to move. What can I do?

The ABR currently requires you to enroll in the MOC program to take an exam. After enrolling through myABR and paying any applicable fees, you may register for the current MOC exam and you will be permitted to take the exam at the next available exam date. This process will satisfy the licensure requirements for your new state.  

I am a lifetime certificate holder. If I enter the MOC program, how long do I have before I need to start answering Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) questions?

As soon as OLA is launched for your specialty, you will begin receiving Online Longitudinal Assessment questions.