Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements were developed by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and implemented by all ABMS member boards, including the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).
For ABIM Board Certified physicians, in addition to certification status, ABIM reports whether or not you are “participating in MOC” (i.e., continuously engaging in MOC activities). This applies to all ABIM Board Certified physicians, including physicians certified before 1990 and hold a certification that is valid indefinitely (“grandparent”).
Read the ACR's MOC responses and review our rheumatology board certification page for more information.
ABIM MOC Requirements
The ABIM website provides detailed information on MOC requirements. For your personalized MOC status and your specific requirements login to your ABIM Physician Portal. Basic requirements are:
- Earn points every two years by completing a MOC designated activity (of all point value)*
- Earn 100 points every five years by completing MOC designated activities*
- Pass an assessment of which there are two options: Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) (launched 2022) or traditional 10-year MOC exam
- ABIM reports certification status and whether you are “participating in MOC” (e.g., continuously engaging in MOC activities). This applies to all ABIM Board Certified physicians, including physicians certified before 1990 and hold a certification that is valid indefinitely (“grandparent”).
* Designated MOC activities may include in-person and virtual events offered by the ACR and other CME providers, activities completed as a Program Director, and passing the 10-year exam or correctly answering questions in the LKA.
ABP MOC Requirements
The ABP’s How-To Guide provides detailed information on the MOC requirements. For information about your personal MOC status and to see your specific requirements, login to your ABP Physician Portal. Basic requirements are:
- Have at least one valid, unrestricted medical license in the U.S. or Canada, and no restricted licenses (Part 1: Professional Standing)
- Earn at least 40 points in self-assessment of knowledge activities every five years (Part 2: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment)**
- Pass a examination on a regular schedule for each certificate you wish to maintain. The two exam options are MOCA-Peds or traditional proctored examination at a secure testing facility (Part 3: Cognitive Expertise — Exam)
- Earn at least 40 points every five years in quality improvement (QI) activities (Part 4: Improving Professional Practice — Quality Improvement)**
** To receive credit for Part 2 and Part 4 activities and maintain certification, you must earn a total of 100 points: a minimum of 40 for Part 2 and a minimum of 40 for Part 4 every five years. The additional 20 points may be earned in either Part 2 or Part 4 activities.
Earn MOC Points from ACR
ACR offers numerous CME and MOC activities in person and online. A variety of new activities are added to the ACR Education Center on a continuous basis that assess rheumatology medical knowledge and enhance patient care.
Find activities in the online activities catalog and ACR’s meetings calendar.
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