Background information on Maintenance of Certification

The ABR’s new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process will replace current re-certification requirements in 2006. Developed according to standards established by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the umbrella organization of 24 medical specialty boards, MOC is designed for practicing radiologists, including vascular and interventional radiology sub-specialists to complete over a 10-year period. All medical specialties are completing a similar process.

Frequently asked questions:

Who is affected?

Radiologists who were Board Certified after 2001 are required to participate in MOC as diagnostic certificates issues from that date forward are time-limited with expiration after 10 years. Additionally, all Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) have had a 10-year time limit since their inception in 1994. The schedule of requirements and timelines will vary for radiologists according to the year most recently certified or re-certified. For a detailed schedule of requirements check the ABR Web Site.

What will be required of me?

The ABR has established requirements to take place over the 10-year MOC cycle. These requirements fall into four broad areas:

1. Evidence of Professional Standing – You will be required to submit proof of active, current, valid, unrestricted and unqualified licensure to practice medicine in all locations of practice at the time of registration for the computer-based examination. Random sample checks of licensure status may occur at other times.

2. Evidence of Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment – The following requirements must be met over the 10-year MOC cycle:

  • Continuing Medical Education (CME): A minimum of 500 CME credit hours, at least 250 of which must be Category 1. Of these 500 hours, a minimum of 70% must be in specialty-specific or related areas. The remaining 30% can include specialty-specific material, as well as clinically related areas or relevant topics (risk management, ethics, statistics, quality improvement, outcomes measurement, etc.)
  • Self Assessment: This requirement may be satisfied by completing self-assessment modules (SAMs). These are educational venues (refresher courses, workshops, reading assignments, etc.) that have been ABR-qualified. In a full 10-year cycle, you will be responsible for documenting successful completion of the equivalent of 20 or more SAMs but an individual can only receive credit for up to 3 SAMs per year. Thus participation in SAMs needs to be spread out over the 10 year cycle. All SAMs are also qualified as Category 1 CME, and can serve to fill the CME requirement.

3. Evidence of Cognitive Expertise – You will be expected to maintain the essentials of core knowledge fundamental to specialty practice. This will require completion of a computer-based examination within the last three years of the 10-year MOC cycle. An exam will be offered by the ABR at least once a year. This four-hour examination is a comprehensive test covering the knowledge base required for the practice of vascular and interventional radiology.

4. Evaluation of Practice Performance – Practice Performance will be founded on evidence-based guidelines, expert consensus, or normative peer comparison, and will focus on practice improvements. You will select one of five practice performance projects, and evaluate your progress three times over the 10-year cycle. The ABR has submitted proposals for this project development to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). When approval of these projects has been awarded, specific details will be available. For further information, go to the ABR Web Site.

When does it begin?

The new MOC process begins in 2006. Depending on the year you were certified or re-certified, your schedule may vary. Visit the ABR’s Web Site for more comprehensive information on the transition from re-certification to MOC, exam schedules, timelines and fees.

What is SIR doing to assist members?

SIR will be launching text based and Web based SAMs on its Website early in 2006 and will continue to present new modules periodically. In addition, there will be "in-person" SAMs offered at the SIR Annual Scientific Meeting each spring.

This information is not intended to be comprehensive. If you have questions contact SIR (MOC@SIRweb.org) or the American Board of Radiology.