American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery announces modifications to MOC program
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As you hopefully have heard by now, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery has made modifications to the ABOS Maintenance of Certification Program.
The modifications will help to advance the mission of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) to ensure the safe, ethical and effective practice of orthopedic surgery for the benefit of our patients and the public. In addition, these changes will allow the ABOS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program to meet the new Standards for Continuing Certification that have been adopted by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
The ABOS Board of Directors, made up of 20 practicing orthopedic surgeons (all participating in MOC) and one public member, spent more than a year deliberating the modifications to make sure the updates continue to provide a meaningful and valuable experience to ABOS Diplomates while not being overly burdensome.
What is not changing
The ABOS MOC Program for Board Certification will continue to be on a 10-year cycle;
Diplomates will still need to maintain an unrestricted medical license;
Diplomates will still submit 240 CME credits, of which 40 are SAE credits, for each 10-year ABOS MOC cycle;
Diplomates will still submit an application (now called a Professional Standing Update) and a case list once every 10 years;
Diplomates will still be able to choose from the same Knowledge Assessment Pathways (ABOS Web-Based Longitudinal Assessment, Computer-Based Recertification Examination, Oral Recertification Examination), completing one pathway in each 10-year cycle; and
Diplomates can still take an ABOS Computer-Based Recertification Examination in years 5 to 10.
What is new
The following is new for all ABOS Diplomates:
- The ABOS is working with the ACCME, AAOS and other CME providers to automatically transfer CME credits to the ABOS. There will be no need to remember to save and upload CME certificates;
- The application will be called the Professional Standing Update and will be submitted with a case list in years 7, 8 or 9;
- Diplomates can take an ABOS Computer-Based Recertification Examination prior to submitting their professional standing update;
- Diplomates can submit their professional standing update prior to meeting the CME/Self-Assessment Examinations (SAEs) requirements; and
- Diplomates earn ABOS recertification after all aspects of the ABOS MOC Program are completed during their 10-year MOC cycle. Separating these requirements will allow for greater flexibility to complete each step in a timeframe that works with each ABOS Diplomate’s unique circumstances.
The following is new for diplomates whose ABOS Board Certification expires in 2031 or later:
- Diplomates must earn half of their CME credits (120 CME credits, of which 20 are SAEs), by Dec. 31 of year 5 (earned in the first 5 years of the 10-year cycle);
- Diplomates who do not meet the requirement by Dec. 31 of year 5 will have their ABOS board certification revoked; and
- Diplomates must earn the remaining half of their CME credits by Dec. 31 of year 10 of the 10-year cycle or their ABOS Board Certification will be revoked.
State licensing requirements
I am ABOS Board Certified with ABOS Subspecialty Certification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Coincidentally, my ABOS Board Certification expires in 2031 so I am affected by the changes. However, my North Carolina medical license requires that I earn 60 CME activities every 3 years, so there is not much more work I have to do for MOC.
As most states require an average of 20 to 25 CME credits every year, you may already be meeting the new MOC requirements by meeting your state licensing requirements. Every ABOS Diplomate must have an unrestricted medical license.
The ABOS Board of Directors has decided to keep ABOS Board Certification on a 10-year cycle. Moving the CME/SAE requirement to the end of year 5, which is currently being met by most ABOS Diplomates by the end of year 3, will help to distribute CME throughout the 10-year cycle and will allow the ABOS to meet the new ABMS Continuing Certification Standards.
These changes emphasize the ABOS mission of protecting the public. The automatic transfer of CME credits to the ABOS from the ACCME as CME credits are earned will streamline this process for ABOS Diplomates. For more information, visit www.abos.org/moc.
New retired status
For diplomates who are near retirement, the ABOS has recently launched a new program that gives ABOS Diplomates in good standing the opportunity to be designated as “Retired in Good Standing.”
This status is intended for orthopedic surgeons who are no longer active in practice in any capacity. These individuals may not be treating patients and may not be supervising residents or others in providing patient care. This status is also not applicable for individuals functioning in administrative roles that require ABOS Board Certification and is not for individuals who require a status of “ABOS Board Certified.”
Individuals who establish ABOS Retired Status will not be considered to be ABOS Board Certified. The official status will be listed on the ABOS website and reported to ABMS as “Not Board Certified, Retired in Good Standing.”
Diplomates who are interested in applying for the status, should log in to their ABOS dashboard and click on “update profile.” There is a link called “Apply to Retired in Good Standing Designation.” After clicking the link, the diplomate completes a brief form and uploads letters from their practice and hospital indicating they have retired. The items will be reviewed by ABOS staff and if approved, the diplomate’s status will show as no longer “Board Certified” but “Retired in Good Standing.” For more information, visit www.abos.org/retired-status-policy.
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