The American Board of Pathology Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program
consists of four parts.
Part I - Professional Standing requires (1) maintenance of a full and
unrestricted medical license in at least one jurisdiction of the United States,
its territories, or Canada; and
(2) documentation of medical staff membership and healthcare organization
privileges. Evidence of licensure and documentation of staff membership and
privileges must be submitted at the end of the 4th and 8th years of the MOC
cycle. A description of practice may be substituted for documentation of medical
staff membership and healthcare privileges if these are not applicable.
Part II - Life-Long Learning and Self-Assessment requires completion of an
average of 35 Category I CME credits per year for each two-year period within
the 10-year MOC cycle. Ten (10) of these credits must be obtained from
completion of self-assessment modules. Eighty per cent (80%) of CME must be
related to the diplomate's practice. Participation in a fellowship will meet
these requirements for a two-year period. These activities must be reported to
the ABP at the end of each two-year period within the MOC cycle.
Part III - Cognitive Expertise requires satisfactory completion of a secure
examination. The examination will be available beginning in the 8th year of the MOC cycle and must be passed before the end of the 10th year.
Part IV - Evaluation of Performance in Practice requires that the diplomate
provide (1) peer attestations regarding interpersonal and communication skills,
professionalism, ethics, and effectiveness in practice; (2) documentation of
laboratory accreditation, where applicable; (3) participation by the diplomate's
laboratory in inter-laboratory performance improvement and quality assurance
programs; and (4) participation by the diplomate in at least one performance
improvement and quality assurance activity or program per year appropriate for
his/her principal professional activities. Peer attestation and documentation of
laboratory accreditation must be provided to the ABP at the end of the 4th and
8th years of the MOC cycle. Documentation of laboratory and individual
participation in practice improvement and quality assurance activities must be
provided at the end of each two-year period of the MOC cycle.
It is vital that diplomates realize that a certificate issued by the ABP is
valid for 10 years contingent upon meeting all interim reporting requirements
for the various parts of the MOC program. Failure to meet reporting deadlines
will result in a period of probation followed by loss of certification if the
reporting requirements are not met.