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MOC Requirements
The American Board of Radiology has a history of ensuring excellence in the professionals who practice in our field. As the applications, technologies, and methodologies of radiology continue to expand and develop, we understand that lifelong learning is critical to ensure that new information and knowledge are incorporated into clinical practice. We are therefore looking forward with vision.
Our maintenance of certification process (ABR-MOC) is designed to facilitate and document the professional development of each diplomate through its focus on the essential elements of quality care. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Radiology ( ABR), as a member board, have initiated this process. Over the next ten years, ABR-MOC will continue to develop into a comprehensive vehicle through which all diplomates can ensure the public and the radiologic community that they are incorporating new information into their practices, thereby delivering excellence in care.
With that in mind, we recommend that all diplomates participate in the ABR-MOC program. Those with time-limited certificates are automatically enrolled in the process. Those with lifetime certificates should consider ABR-MOC as an investment that will ensure continuing education, instill confidence, and promote the best interests of the patient. All diplomates should keep the ABR apprised of any change in contact information or licensure.
The ABR believes in the value of maintenance of certification.
All current ABR Trustees participate in ABR-MOC, as will all future trustees.
Here's how it works:
Four Components …
- Professional Standing
- Lifelong Learning & Self-assessment
- Cognitive Expertise
- Practice Quality Improvement
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... in Six Competencies
- Medical Knowledge
- Patient Care
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Professionalism
- Practice-based Learning & Improvement
- Systems-based Practice
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Please see the MOC Participation Policy for detailed guidelines used to evaluate acceptable participation.
Part One: Professional Standing
Diplomates are required to maintain active, current, valid, and unrestricted licenses relevant to all locations of practice. All current licenses will be checked at the time the diplomate registers for the computer-based examination. Policy on Professional Standing (Licensure) Requirements for Diplomates Practicing Outside of the US and Canada.
Part Two: Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment
Lifelong Learning: The Lifelong Learning requirement may be satisfied by documented attendance at 200 hours of category 1 continuing medical education (CME) related to radiation therapy or oncology during the ten year interval. Of these, 80% must be related to radiation therapy or oncology.
Self-assessment: The Self-Assessment Module (SAM) requirement may be satisfied by participation in educational venues (e.g., refresher courses, workshops, reading assignments, etc.) and successfully completing self-assessment programs covering the respective educational materials. Please click here for a list of the available SAMs.
The diplomate will be responsible for documenting successful completion of eight or more SAMs during the 10-year period.
Part Three: Cognitive Expertise
The diplomate is expected to maintain the essentials of core knowledge fundamental to the practice of radiation oncology. Documentation of cognitive expertise requires completion of a computer-based examination within the last 3 years of the 10-year MOC cycle. An exam is offered by the ABR at least twice a year. The examination, derived from the recertification exam offered 1999 – 2004, is a comprehensive test covering the knowledge base required for the practice of radiation oncology. The proctored examination is currently administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. On the day of the examination, the diplomate (the person scheduled to participate in the examination, according to ABR records) must confirm identity by presenting a government-issued photo I.D. and his/her exam confirmation letter.
The ABR computer-based examination in radiation oncology covers 13 content areas:
- gastrointestinal cancers
- genitourinary cancers
- gynecological cancers
- breast cancer
- lymphomas and leukemias
- head and neck cancers
- pediatric cancers
- central nervous system tumors
- sarcomas
- thoracic malignancies
- palliation
- radiation and cancer biology
- physics
Part Four: Practice Quality Improvement
ABR articles on Practice Quality Improvement have recently been published for radiation oncologists. Click here for details.
Radiation oncology diplomates will participate in a Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) program to fulfill their Part IV requirements. Each diplomate will complete three PQI projects during the 10-year period, each project must include the following elements:
- relevance to patient care
- relevance to diplomate's practice
- identifiable metrics and/or measurable endpoints
- an action plan to address areas for improvement and subsequent re-measurement to assess progress and/or improvement.
One or two of the projects may be Type 1, which are individually-based projects qualified by self-attestation of the diplomate. Type 1 projects may be generated by the physician, his/her department or institution. The individual's practice elements are central to a PQI project. Attestation is available on the Personal Database (PDB). Examples of Type 1 projects are outlined in the IJROBP article describing PQI and may include enrolling patients on national protocols where central quality assessment of radiation therapy provides feedback to the individual or department or a retrospective review of treatment policies and/or outcomes related to a radiation oncologist's practice in a specific disease setting. Upon completion of the project, the diplomate confirms incorporation of all PQI elements by completing the attestation form in the PDB.
Other Type 1 projects may be based on an ABR endorsed, society-provided template, which fulfill the essential elements of a PQI project. These templates are available through the societies' websites as listed in the PQI Project Table
At least one of the diplomate's projects during the 10-year MOC cycle shall be Type 2. These are society-based projects with more robust structure, have been qualified in advance by the ABR as meeting all Part IV requirements, and contribute to developing national databases relevant to radiation oncology. Type 2 projects qualified by the ABR are listed in the PQI Project Table
Examples of program resources that you may find helpful in learning about quality improvement include:
- On-line or in-person course (including college, institutional, and commercial courses, e.g., Lean Management, Six Sigma)
- Self-Assessment Module (SAM) on quality improvement
- Society-sponsored CME offering
- Institutional course
Examples of reading resources:
Prorated Cycles
The requirements for MOC are based on the year in which you received your certificate. To view your particular schedule, go to Timelines & Fees.
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