This is kinda of embarrassing, but I am a bit confused about MOC vs CME requirements? Can I only do the MOC activities through ABP? When do I pay the MOC fee- a way to avoid the fees? Also, with the CME requirements- I have received some points through up to date and also Peds in Review- do I submit them to ABP?
Any advice would be appreciated
The process is very confusing. I will try my best.
Think of MOC and CME as two separate process, with some overlap.
CMEs are needed to maintain your state license. The type of CMEs and amount needed (and how long you have to collect them) is dependent on the state. This is mandatory, and failure to comply with CME requirements will result in license suspension (and perhaps even harsher punishment by the state board)
CME credits from taking the ABP, Peds in Review, UptoDate, Grand Rounds, AAP Conferences, etc. goes toward this requirement.
MOC is something that the ABP started a few years ago. You need to be current on MOC to maintain your board certification. Technically, it is voluntary since if you don't participate, you can still practice medicine, you just won't be board-certified (unless you were grandfathered in with life-long certification). Those with time-limited certificatin (eg have an expiration date on it) will still be board-certified until that date, then they will no longer be certified. For ABP, there are 4 parts. Part 1 is just maintaining your license in good standing. Part 3 is taking the exam every 10 years. Part 2 is "lifelong learning and self-assessment", very similar to the CMEs that you do. In fact, you can get CME credits for doing some of these MOC modules. Some conferences will also have "MOC" activities that you can earn by attending, giving you dual CME and MOC credits. Part 4 is the "Performance in Practice" module ... that's your QA/QI projects, etc. You need a total of 100 points from Part 2 and Part 4 (at least 40 points must be part 2, 40 points must be part 4, the other 20 can be either) every 5 years (plus $$$) in order to maintain your certification (MOC).
So in addition to getting CME credits (and keeping records) for your state, you now have to keep MOC points (which the ABP will keep on file) to maintain your certification. There's some overlap (mainly Part 2 MOC credits) that you can do simultaneously, but others (Part 4) are additional requirements
Doing Prep questions will earn you CME and MOC (Part 2) Points. Doing Peds in Review will give you CME points.
To make it more confusing, there is talk at the state levels and with FSMB, about changing the CME requirements for state license to a "MOL" - maintenance of licensure (eg you must participate in MOC or something similar to maintain license).
http://www.fsmb.org/fsmb-mol
http://www.accme.org/news-publicati...cme-supports-maintenance-licensure-initiative
Of course, there is already anger in the community about MOC, and opposition towards MOL
http://www.iowamedical.org/hodresolutions.cfm
http://www.jpands.org/vol17no4/kempen.pdf
http://thepracticalpsychosomaticist...ion-to-fsmb-maintenance-of-licensure-program/
