MOC exam at home?

[Sulfinator]

I just heard there has been some official announcement that the MOC exam can now be taken at home, apparently effective beginning with those taking the re-certification exam in spring 2016. No more flying to Tampa?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[coroner]

I heard a rumor of a different kind that they might open up an additional testing center which would obivate the need for home exams. If you think about it, an additional test site makes sense because there's way more pathologists out there who will need to recertify on a yearly basis vs graduating pathologists taking primary boards for the first time. And that number will continue to grow as long as the recertification requirement is in place. Wasn't there also speculation that they might drop MOC altogether if we protested enough?

 

[univlad]

I have not seen an email, but this is new on their website:

Diplomates may choose to take their MOC exams at the ABP Examination Center in Tampa, Florida or via secure, remote computer access from their home or office. Each examination session will have a predetermined 2-week period for exam access.

• Remote MOC exams can be taken on any day and at any time that the registrant chooses during the assigned 2-week period. Remote exam registrants are responsible for ensuring that operating system (OS) requirements, webcam, and microphone are installed on their computers prior to the start of the examination session. Remote exam registrants will be required to perform a system check on the computer that will be used to take the exam prior to the examination session to ensure acceptable OS functions are in place for exam access.

http://www.abpath.org/index.php/taking-an-examination/maintenance-of-certification-moc-examinatons

 

[univlad]

This is also a spot under examination center called "Future Examination Center--Coming soon"

Maybe a spot on the west coast? Or central us?

http://www.abpath.org/index.php/taking-an-examination/examination-centers

 

[univlad]

This is also a spot under examination center called "Future Examination Center--Coming soon"

Maybe a spot on the west coast? Or central us?

http://www.abpath.org/index.php/taking-an-examination/examination-centers

It looks like the American Board of Radiology has their own examination centers too. Maybe they will work together and use each other's facilities?

http://www.theabr.org/abr-all-dates-and-locations

 

[mlw03]

This was talked about at the NAME meeting. Apparently there are diplomates in Asia, Europe, Australia, etc for whom flying to Tampa is REALLY inconvenient. Sounds like this is gonna happen, with some increase in the fee to cover security costs or whatever, but still a big net savings for anyone who lives further away than Orlando.

 

[univlad]

This was talked about at the NAME meeting. Apparently there are diplomates in Asia, Europe, Australia, etc for whom flying to Tampa is REALLY inconvenient. Sounds like this is gonna happen, with some increase in the fee to cover security costs or whatever, but still a big net savings for anyone who lives further away than Orlando.

The registration for the spring MOC exam opens tomorrow. It looks like the fee is now $700. What was the fee before? I am thinking that it was $500, but I may be wrong.? So it looks like even if you travel to Tampa you're still paying an increased cost. Can anyone who took the pilot remote exam comment on the process? Did just a current laptop with a webcam work? Or did you need additional technology?

 

[signal pathway]

I have registered to take the exam remotely this coming spring. Will post after my exam how this works.

 

[univlad]

It looks like the American Board of Radiology has their own examination centers too. Maybe they will work together and use each other's facilities?

http://www.theabr.org/abr-all-dates-and-locations

Lots of new information in the board's newest newsletter:
http://www.abpath.org/images/newsletters/2015-2ABPExaminer.pdf


MOC PART III (ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, JUDGMENT, AND SKILLS)


ABP MOC Part III requirements allow diplomates who hold both primary (AP and/or CP) and subspecialty certifications to sit for a single examination that includes 50 primary and 150 subspecialty questions, graded as a single 200-question exam. Successful diplomates will fulfill Part III MOC requirements for both certificates. The ABP publishes comprehensive study guides for the MOC exam modules on our website. The MOC exams do not include glass slides or virtual microscopy questions.

REMOTE, SECURE TESTING

This fall, the ABP conducted a pilot to administer the MOC Part III exams remotely (from home, office, or other site of the diplomates’ choosing). The ABP recognizes the burden of time, travel, and associated costs for coming to the Tampa exam center for their MOC exam and have implemented remote testing in response to that feedback. For remote testing, diplomates are required to do a system check (hardware and software) and take a practice exam prior to taking their MOC exam. Diplomates are video recorded while taking the exam for security purposes, so they must have a webcam. Remote exams will be available for a two week window of time in March. Diplomates will still have the option of taking their MOC exams in the Tampa exam center.

Because of the increased cost for remote testing and security monitoring, the fee for the MOC Part III exam is now $700, and as always, covers all exams taken during the same exam session (spring or fall) regardless of the number of exams taken (primary and subspecialty). See the ABP Web site for examination deadlines, dates, and registration information.


ABP SPRING AP AND CP EXAMINATIONS OFFERED IN TUCSON, AZ [Looks like this isn't for MOC tho]


The ABP is partnering with the American Board of Radiology to use the ABR examination center in Tucson, AZ. They have a facility similar to the Tampa test center and microscopes will be provided, just as in Tampa. Applicants for certification can select either the Tampa or the Tucson test center for their spring exams on their application form. Exams will be given in Tucson June 20-25, 2016.