Maintenance of Certification: How Does It Affect Gytopathoiogists?

摘要

All certificates issued by the American Board of Pathology (ABP) are now time-limited, and diplomates must participate in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to remain board-certified. The voluntary recertification program administered by the ABP has stopped taking applications, but pathologists with ABP lifetime certificates can now enroll voluntarily in MOC. How does this affect you as a practicing cytopathologist? The ABP is one of 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and all ABMS boards now have MOC programs with similar general standards and sections. MOC programs allow physicians to demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning and competence, and MOC fulfills public expectations for enhanced patient safety and quality clinical outcomes. MOC is different from previous recertification programs in that the program is continuous and involves more than an examination: if certain reporting deadlines are missed, the board certificate may expire before the end of the 10-year cycle.