The American Board of Pathology (ABP) has separate Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology Content Specification Committees, consisting of both trustees and other pathologists with broad expertise in anatomic and/or clinical pathology. The content specifications are designed to be a guide for pathologists who are participating in AP and/or CP MOC programs.
Subspecialty content specifications are prepared by the Test Development and
Advisory Committee for that subspecialty.
The topics listed are ones that the Committees feel represent new, validated practical knowledge that the practicing pathologist
or subspecialist should know. The lists also include fundamental knowledge that is basic to practice.
The committees have provided references in many of these areas. The list of references does not imply endorsement of the content, journal, article, or author by the ABP.
The content specifications are provided as a guideline for study and review. The MOC examination will include many of these topics; however, the diplomate should neither infer that any particular topic will appear on the examination, nor that the examination will be limited only to the topics on the lists. The content specifications will be reviewed and edited annually.
Please send any comments to:
questions@abpath.org for comments
on content specifications.
Anatomic Pathology
New Validated Practical Knowledge updated 9/1/09
Fundamental Knowledge updated 9/1/09
Clinical Pathology
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine
Chemical Pathology
Hematology
Hemostasis and Coagulation
Immunology
Laboratory Administration and Operations
Medical Microbiology
Molecular Genetic Pathology
Subspecialties
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine updated 2/18/10
Cytopathology
Dermatopathology added 2/18/10
Forensic Pathology
Hematology
Molecular Genetic Pathology added 11/5/09
Neuropathology
Pediatric Pathology added 11/5/09