Content Specifications

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 those 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.

Please send any comments to questions@abpath.org for comments on content specifications.