Frequently
Asked Questions
MOC
MOC
What is the intent of the ABO’s Maintenance of Certification process?
The intent of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process of the American
Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is to provide assurance to the public and to the
medical profession that certified physicians continue educational activities,
keep current in information and skills, and practice in a contemporary and safe
manner. The evaluation is designed to assess the knowledge, experience and
skills requisite to the delivery of high standards of patient care in
ophthalmology.
What is the MOC process?
MOC consists of the four components listed below:
-
Evidence of Professional Standing
-
Evaluation of Practice Performance
-
Evidence of a Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment
-
Evidence of Cognitive Expertise
Click here for a
full description of the MOC components.
What are my requirements and timeframe for completing MOC?
Diplomates who wish to maintain their Board certification must complete the MOC
requirements in specified timeframes during the 10-year cycle of their current
certificate. While transitioning from recertification to MOC, the components
and their required timeframe are slightly different for each group of
diplomates. Please refer to the MOC timeframe chart to determine the specific requirements for each group of diplomates.
How do I access the ABO’s MOC Components?
Users must login with an ABO-designated
username and password. The ABO provides usernames and passwords to candidates
and diplomates as they are eligible to register or apply for current Board
activities. To retrieve your username and password, click
here.
Why did the ABO change from a recertification process to a Maintenance of
Certification process?
In March 2000, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) issued a
statement expressing the commitment of the 24 medical specialty boards to the
process of MOC to expand on and replace recertification. The change represents
the ABO’s commitment to better fulfill its mission to serve the public by
improving the quality of ophthalmic practice through a process of certification
and maintenance of certification that fosters excellence and encourages
continuous learning.
MOC is a direct response to the rapidly changing environment of medical
practice, increased demand by patients for consistent quality medical care from
their doctors and formation of healthcare industry and payer-based
organizations aimed at measuring physician competence. These organizations are
reacting to a perceived lack of quality care that may lead to the profession’s
loss of freedom to set its own professional standards while also burdening
already busy physicians by fragmenting the processes of quality care
measurement. MOC strives to provide a continuous, streamlined process that will
support a physicians' goals of staying current in information and skills while
also providing them with a valuable certification of continued quality care.
Why did the MOC examination change from an open-book take-home exam to a
proctored, computerized exam?
The ABO is greatly concerned about the impact of its decisions regarding the
MOC process on the lives and careers of ophthalmologists. The decision to
change from an open-book, take-home examination to a closed-book, computerized
proctored examination was based primarily on the recognition of the value of
the certificate within the public domain. Public concern about the continued
competence of board certified physicians has prompted significant change not
only within the medical specialty board arena, but throughout the medical
community. Many state medical licensing boards now require Board certification
or recertification within the last ten years in order to obtain licensure by
endorsement in that state and other organizations are now recognizing the value
of recertification. In addition, state medical licensing boards are
increasingly asking for a proctored examination. For more information on the
computer-based MOC examination,
click here.
Can I participate in MOC if my certificate is not time-limited?
The ABO believes in the value of MOC
and encourages all diplomates to participate. Non time-limited certificates are not affected by participation in MOC. Voluntary participation signifies a commitment to lifelong learning and continuous improvement and is rewarded with an additional ABO certificate, valid for 10 years. Click here to learn more about MOC for non time-limited certificate holders. Note: Since 2001, it has been ABO policy that all newly elected Board Directors participate in MOC upon acceptance of the appointment..
Will my certificate expire earlier if I complete the renewal process before it
expires?
No. Requirements for certificate renewal can be achieved before or after the
expiration date of the time-limited certificate; renewal is for ten years from
the expiration of the previous certificate or ten years from the date of
completion of the requirements, whichever is later.
Why do I have to recertify and my colleagues do not?
The ABO recognizes the disparity between those diplomates who hold non
time-limited certificates and those who must recertify every 10 years. Prior to
1992, the board issued certificates that did not have an expiration date and is
legally constrained from imposing one now. The ABO believes in the value of
Maintenance of Certification for all diplomates and strongly encourages everyone to participate. Today, only time-limited
certificates are issued by the 24 primary or conjoint boards of the ABMS.
Continuing Medical Education
What CME credits apply towards the ABO CME requirement for MOC?
The Board accepts only Category 1 CME obtained from an Accreditation Council
for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)-approved organization.
How do I submit my CME credits?
Users may login to their MOC Status Page and use the CME Tracking Tool to submit CME credits at any time during the 10-year MOC cycle. Credits are also accepted by email or fax. Diplomates are offered an extra incentive for submitting CME credits prior to registering for the cognitive examination. Please review the submission guidelines and criteria on the CME information for complete details.
Do I have to submit all 300 CME credits when I apply for MOC?
You have two options for CME submission:
Submission at the Time of DOCK Registration
To complete this option, you must submit a total of 30 credits multiplied by
the year you are planning to sit for the cognitive examination as a requirement
for registration. For example, a diplomate registers for the cognitive exam in
the first year they are eligible, year 8: 8 X 30 = 240 CMEs are due with
registration. If you submit the required amount of CME, you will owe no
additional CME towards MOC.
Submission after DOCK Registration but Prior to Successful Completion of the MOC Process
If you do not have the required number of CME at the time of DOCK registration, you
must submit a total of 300 CME by the December 31 expiration date of your
current certificate.
What qualifies as ethics CME and where can I find ethics CME?
While there are no specific guidelines regarding courses that will satisfy the
ethics requirement, the course should contain the word ethics in the title or
be designated as ethics by the sponsoring organization. Ethics courses can be
found through various institutions; such as bioethics departments of many
universities, community hospitals and medical centers. The American Academy of
Ophthalmology (AAO) also has an active ethics program which offers courses at
its annual meetings and on its
website.
The ABO does not accept risk management or medico legal courses as ethics
courses. Please note, even if an ACCME-sponsored organization designates a
specific course as ethics, the ABO reserves the right to accept or reject any
course submitted as ethics based on course content. Diplomates can submit
documentation on the content of CME courses to the ABO office for further
review as ethics.
Will the ABO audit my CME submission?
The ABO does not require individual CME certificates; however, the Board
reserves the right to verify CME by asking for documentation.
Office Record Review
What is the Office Record Review?
The ORR is an online self-review of clinical practice in which a diplomate
reviews 15 of his/her current patient charts. The ORR consists of over 35
ophthalmic diagnoses with specific criteria (ORR modules), for example: Myopia:
a new adult patient who presents with myopia, seen by you at least once in the
past 12 months.
ORR module content encompasses practice patterns related to the specific
diagnosis. Self-review of patient charts via ORR modules is meant to assess the
quality of practice through verification of the documentation of appropriate
measurements, diagnosis, management, treatment, and follow-up.
Will someone from the ABO review my patient charts? Do I need to send the ABO
copies of the patient records I will use in the ORR process?
No. You will review the 15 patient records you select for review in your own
home or office according to the ORR modules. The ABO requires some basic,
non-identifying information about the patient records to be used, including
year of birth, initial visit date and most recent visit date. The online ORR
program will guide users through entering the required information. Once the
patient information is entered, you will be prompted to start the ORR.
The entire record for each patient is necessary to complete the online ORR
modules.
What do I do if I currently do not practice ophthalmology or I am in the process
of relocating?
It is important for diplomates to be well informed about the ORR process, in
order to anticipate any difficulties or unforeseen events they might encounter.
In order to register for and complete the ORR, you must select and utilize
patient charts from the past 12 to 36 months. Therefore, diplomates who may
not, for any reason, have access to 15 appropriate patient records will not be
able to complete the ORR process. The ABO will not recertify those who do not
currently practice ophthalmology. However, for those anticipating a relocation
or brief leave of absence, the ABO recommends being aware of what is required
for the office record review in order to anticipate any unforeseen
difficulties.
What if my practice is 100 percent specialty, and I am having trouble meeting the
five patient requirement for the three modules?
The ABO is aware of the need for a pool of modules that encompasses
subspecialty areas and will add appropriate modules as the process continues.
However, certificate renewal by the American Board of Ophthalmology implies
some knowledge of comprehensive ophthalmology; therefore even though a
diplomate’s practice is limited to one or two disease entities, that diplomate
must meet this requirement.
Can I substitute different patient records after I have registered for the ORR?
No. It is imperative that you select patient records that meet the module
definition and timeframe requirements. You must use the records you submit at
the time of registration to complete the corresponding ORR modules.
Substitutions are not permitted after registration.
How long do I have to complete the ORR?
The ORR must be completed within 30 days of starting the actual review of
patient charts. The start date of the 30-day window is the day when you finish
submitting the required information on all 15 charts you will review. Once
started, you can access and re-access the ORR during the 30-day timeframe. You
must use the patient charts submitted during registration, no substitutions are
allowed.
Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK)
What is the DOCK?
DOCK is a secure, proctored, 150-item computer-based examination administered
at nationally-distributed test center locations for a period of one month each year
in September. DOCK is comprised of three 50-item modules: one in Core Ophthalmic
Knowledge (knowledge considered fundamental to the practice of ophthalmology
regardless of the practice emphasis) and two in a Practice Emphasis Area(s)
(PEA) of your choice.
Do I need to complete the other MOC requirements to sit for the DOCK?
MOC components must be completed in a specified order according to the year in which you were certified. You are not eligible to register for the next component on the list until the previous component has been satisfied. Please
refer to the MOC timeframe chart on the ABO website for more information.
The ABO generally requires two Periodic Ophthalmic Review
Tests (PORTs) prior to sitting for the DOCK because the content of the PORTs
reflect the content of the DOCK. Participation in the PORTs is designed to help
gauge strengths and weaknesses prior to sitting for the DOCK.
Why should I take the DOCK in 2010 when my certificate does not expire
until 2011 or 2012?
The ABO offers diplomates three opportunities to
participate in the DOCK prior to certificate expiration. The ABO encourages
all diplomates to take the DOCK in the first year of eligibility in order to
avoid a loss of certification due to failure or unforeseen circumstances preventing
participation in the examination.
What day during September do I need to sit for the DOCK?
DOCK
is available by appointment on regular business days throughout the month of
September. In late June, approved diplomates will be sent an email with instructions for scheduling a test appointment at an ACT Center location.
How much time do I have to take the DOCK?
DOCK is administered
in an approximately four hour testing period, which includes a tutorial and optional break time.
What is the basis for the questions on the DOCK?
The content
of DOCK is based on the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC), an ophthalmic
knowledge base developed by ten panels of practicing ophthalmologists under
the guidance of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) that identifies
and defines areas of clinically relevant knowledge. To review the topics covered
in each practice emphasis area of the POC, click here.
What are the DOCK (and PORT) practice emphasis area modules?
The ten practice emphasis areas are: Cataract/Anterior Segment; Cornea/External
Disease; Comprehensive Ophthalmology; Glaucoma; Neuro-ophthalmology and Orbit;
Oculoplastics and Orbit; Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus; Refractive Management/Intervention;
Retina/Vitreous; and Uveitis.
I am a subspecialist, will the DOCK actually test information related
to my practice?
The DOCK is designed to test the information you use
to practice on a daily basis and allows you to select the content area of the
exam according to your personal practice patterns. All examinees must take 50
questions in core ophthalmic knowledge and can then pick two 50-question modules
from 10 areas of practice emphasis.
There are two versions of most practice emphasis modules; however, there is
only one version of the Refractive Management/Intervention and Uveitis modules.
Examinees can opt to select two modules from one practice emphasis area or one
module from two different practice emphasis areas. For example:
Dr. Schmidt practices 100 percent pediatric ophthalmology and therefore selects
his two DOCK modules choices in pediatric ophthalmology.
Dr. Burrell practices pediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology and,
therefore, selects one DOCK module in pediatric ophthalmology and one in neuro-ophthalmology.
What is the passing score?
The examination pass-fail decision is based on your performance on the entire examination. Unanswered questions are scored as incorrect; therefore, you should answer every question. The minimum passing score is established by the Board following each examination
What happens if I fail the DOCK?
Individuals who fail to achieve
a passing score on the DOCK can register for the next year’s DOCK administration.
The registration period runs from February-June 1 of each year for the September
DOCK. Diplomates who do not complete all MOC requirements prior to the expiration
of their current certificate will no longer be Board certified; however, they
can continue to participate in the MOC components in an effort to regain Board
certification.
Does the ABO recommend study material for the DOCK?
As a nonprofit
testing organization, it is a conflict of interest for the ABO to recommend
specific study material for any of its examinations. The ABO does recommend
participation in the PORT prior to sitting for the DOCK examination.
PORTs are 50-item, online self-review tests in core ophthalmic knowledge and
the same 10 PEAs offered in the DOCK. There is no fee for participation in two
PORTs: one core and one PEA. PORT content reflects the content of the DOCK and
provides feedback to missed questions. Therefore, the ABO recommends that individuals
registered for the DOCK take the two PORTs offered in order to identify the
need for additional study material and/or review of specific topics.
There are three versions of each PORT module (except uveitis). Diplomates can take as many PORT
modules as they would like. Any PORTs beyond the two provided by the ABO are
$100.
Is the DOCK similar to the written certification examination I took
when I first became Board Certified?
Both examinations are designed
to evaluate clinically relevant knowledge important to the delivery of quality
eye care by practicing ophthalmologists. However, the DOCK has as its principal
focus, the clinical knowledge specific to an individual’s practice.
Is the DOCK the same as the previous MOC written examination, the CREW?
No. The CREW examination was created to be completed over a two-month timeframe
and allowed examinees to use reference material to research information on questions
with a high degree of difficulty or that they could not answer with certainty.
The DOCK is designed to be completed in an approximate four-hour test period in a closed-book
environment and includes questions that test the knowledge practicing ophthalmologists
use everyday to deliver quality eye care.
General Questions
How do I change my address with the ABO?
If you would like to change your address with the ABO, you may login to your MOC Status Page and click "Update Profile Information" to provide your current contact information.
How does a doctor obtain his/her own status letter?
Certified physicians or active candidates may request a status letter by contacting the Board Office.
How do I get another certificate? How much does it cost?
Additional certificates may be ordered online by logging in to your MOC Status Page and completing the online order form. Before ordering, please ensure that your mailing address is current and up-to-date. Additional
certificates cost $100 each.
What is the certificate number to put on the forms I am filling out?
The American Board of Ophthalmology does not issue certificate numbers.
Can I pay for the Board examinations with a credit card?
The ABO accepts Visa and MasterCard as payment for all Board fees.
When will I get my examination results?
You will receive results for the Office Record Review and the Periodic
Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORT) instantly upon completion of the activity.
Results for the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK)
examination will be mailed eight weeks following the September 30 close
of the testing window.
How can I change my name with the ABO?
If you would like to change your name with the ABO, please submit legal documentation of your name change (i.e. marriage
license, divorce decree, legal name change document) to the Board Office.
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