How does the new MOC (Maintenance of Certification) process work?
Obstetricians and Gynecologists are certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). Before 1986, ABOG certified candidates for life. Beginning in 1986, candidates achieving Board certification were issued a 10-year certificate; starting in 2001, initial Board certification was further limited to 6 years. In order to remain Board-certified after their certificate expired, candidates had to be “recertified”. Until 2008, candidates could choose one of three ways to remain certified. They could take a written exam or an oral exam every six years, or they could read ABOG’s article assignments and complete a take-home test yearly. Beginning January 1, 2008, recertification has been replaced by MOC, or “maintenance of certification.” MOC is a continuous six-year cycle which every ob/gyn must complete in order to remain Board-certified. There are four parts to MOC. The first part, “professional standing”simply requires that a physician holds an unrestricted medical license
