MOC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to the continuing certification questions that we most often receive.

If you don't see a question that you think is important, please submit an FAQ to the MOC Administration team.

MOC General Information

I am having difficulty navigating my ABP Portfolio. Where can I find help?

Specific areas of the ABP Portfolio have been redesigned to help pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists better understand and continuously progress through Maintenance of Certification (MOC). While the general navigation has been updated to aid this experience, you can always send an email to moc@abpeds.org for more specific assistance. You may also call us at 919-929-0461.

What does the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program entail?

Every five years, through the online MOC enrollment process, pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists will select and pay for only the certification areas they wish to maintain. Once enrolled in MOC, you have five years to fulfill all MOC requirements. These requirements include:

  • Meeting the Part 1 requirement by maintaining a valid, unrestricted medical license;
  • Completing approved Part 2 self-assessment and continued learning activities;
  • Meeting the Part 3 requirement by passing either the proctored examination or MOCA-Peds; and
  • Completing approved Part 4 Improving Professional Practice activities.
Why is the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program necessary?

Meeting the requirements of MOC is a commitment to quality and influences better care. The ABP is committed to making MOC a benchmark standard that fulfills multiple requirements for licensing, accreditation, and hospital credentialing. Visit the Maintain Certification page for additional information.
 

How do I fulfill my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 1 licensure requirement?

The ABP requires that pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists hold a valid, unrestricted allopathic and/or osteopathic medical license in at least one jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or Canada. If more than one license is held, all licenses must be valid and unrestricted.

Individuals practicing exclusively outside the United States, its territories, or Canada, and who do not hold a U.S. or Canadian license, must provide proof of licensure in the country in which they practice.

Please visit the MOC Professional Standing and Licensure page for additional information.

Will I receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for participation in Maintenance of Certification (MOC)?

You may apply for CME credit and/or a Physician Recognition Award certificate directly through the American Medical Association (AMA) for the completion of a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) cycle. Please visit our CME Credit for MOC page for more information.

Also, some MOC activities are approved for CME credit, such as some of the ABP Self-Assessment activities for MOC Part 2. Please check our Self-Assessment Activities page or your ABP Portfolio for more information.

Do I need to maintain my general pediatrics certification in order to maintain my subspecialty certification?

No. The ABP allows you to maintain subspecialty certification without simultaneously maintaining certification in general pediatrics. However, if you wish to maintain certification in pediatric transplant hepatology, then you will be required to maintain certification in pediatric gastroenterology.

I have multiple certifications. How do I meet my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements for all of them?

No matter how many ABP certificates you hold, you have only one MOC cycle. Any activities you complete are applied to all areas in which you hold certification. For your specific requirements, log on to your ABP Portfolio.

I am a permanent certificate holder. Am I required to participate in Maintenance of Certification (MOC)?

Regardless of your participation in MOC, your permanent certification status will never be jeopardized. Should you wish to maintain the added designation of Meeting MOC Requirements, please visit the How-To Guide for more information.

As a permanent certificate holder, why should I be involved in Maintenance of Certification (MOC)?

Groups outside the ABP are less likely to accept a credential awarded 10, 20, or more years ago as evidence of your current ability to provide quality medical care. If you are a permanent certificate holder and would like more information about MOC participation, visit the How-To Guide page.

MOC Activities and Points

Does the ABP provide reciprocal Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit?

Yes. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the ABP provides reciprocal credit for Self-Assessment/Lifelong Learning (MOC Part 2) and Quality Improvement (MOC Part 4). Visit the Reciprocal MOC Credit page for additional information.

Are Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points and Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours equivalent?

No. Although MOC Self-Assessment/Lifelong Learning (Part 2) points and CME credits often overlap, the standards set by the ABP and the ACCME are different. When an activity is eligible for MOC points and CME credit, the MOC point value of an activity might not equal the amount of CME credit hours. 

How do I receive Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit for completion of an approved activity the ABP did NOT develop?

MOC credit is awarded by the organization that developed the activity. Please call or email the contact person associated with your specific activity and request to have your completion record forwarded to the ABP.

I am involved in a local, regional, or national quality improvement (QI) initiative. Can I earn Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit for my participation?

Hospitals, health care organizations, collaborative networks, and professional societies designated as MOC Pediatric Portfolio Sponsors have authority from the ABP to approve quality improvement (QI) projects and submit the names of participants to the ABP for MOC Part 4 credit. They might have ready-made MOC Part 4 projects for you to join, or they might be able to help you develop your own project for Part 4 credit, or both. 

Even if your institution or organization is not a Portfolio Sponsor, the ABP will award credit to structured, well-designed QI projects that are based on accepted improvement science and methodology. For more information, please visit the Your QI Project page on our website.

I’ve already earned more than 100 activity points. Can those extra points roll over into my next Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points cycle?

Yes. You can roll over up to 25 excess Quality Improvement (Part 4) points from one cycle to the next. For example, if you have 75 or more Part 4 points in your current cycle, you will automatically begin the next cycle with 25 Part 4 points. Self-Assessment/Lifelong Learning (Part 2) points are not eligible to be rolled over.

I am not seeing patients. How can I successfully complete the Quality Improvement (MOC Part 4) requirement?

The ABP offers the Virtual QI with Simulated Data PIM for the QI novice and can be used by both clinically active and clinically non-active physicians. For the list of approved activities, please use the Activity Search within your ABP Portfolio.

MOC Proctored Examinations

For frequently asked questions about MOCA-Peds, the ABP's online longitudinal assessment, please visit our MOCA-Peds FAQ page.

When will I get my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examination results?

Results are typically posted within four weeks of the exam. Please visit the MOC Results page for more information.

Why does it take a few weeks to get my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examination results?

Routine quality control activities are conducted before releasing results. These measures require several weeks to complete. For more information, please visit the Scoring page on the ABP website.

Can I take my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examination earlier than when it is due?

Yes. You have the option to test early. Requests should be sent to moc@abpeds.org.

How do I request test accommodations?

The ABP offers reasonable test accommodations for those who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). Examination applicants are asked to indicate their intent to request accommodations when submitting their exam application. Our Test Accommodations webpage has information about the ABP's policies, including accommodations for a disability; courtesy accommodations for those who need to bring medical devices, medication, or comfort aids; and extended break time for breastfeeding parents.

Is there a practice examination I can use to prepare for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examination?

Yes. The General Pediatrics Comprehensive Knowledge Self-Assessment (Part 2) activity is designed to serve as practice for the general pediatrics MOC exam. It consists of approximately 200 multiple-choice questions selected from the proctored examination question pool. While there is no passing score, it can provide you exposure to content that is comparable to what you will see on the MOC proctored examination. Currently, there are no practice examinations available for subspecialties. You can prepare for MOC examinations by visiting the Content and Preparation pages.

Financial FAQs

What is the cost of Maintenance of Certification (MOC)?

Fees for MOC are posted on our website. Pediatricians may pay their five-year enrollment fee at the beginning of each MOC cycle or choose the annual payment option. You choose which certification areas you wish to maintain and pay only for those areas. The fees compare favorably with the cost of most specialty society dues.

What do Maintenance of Certification (MOC) fees cover?

Your MOC enrollment fee includes access to ABP-developed activities to help you fulfill your MOC requirements. In addition to MOC points, most ABP-developed activities also award CME credit for no additional charge.

MOC fees also provide access to MOCA-Peds, our web-based assessment program to fulfill your Part 3 requirement that allows you to test as you go, on the go. If you prefer to not participate in MOCA-Peds, you have the option to take the proctored examination at a secure testing center for an additional fee that covers the costs charged by the testing center and associated expenses.

Certificate Questions

Can I receive a duplicate certificate?

Yes, the American Board of Pediatrics will provide a duplicate certificate for any ABP-certified pediatrician. To receive a duplicate certificate, please complete our Duplicate Certificate Request Form (PDF) and email it to support@abpeds.org.

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