MOC is a continuous process designed by the ABO and is completed in four main parts over the course of 10 years.
Part I. Professional Standing
All diplomates must hold a valid and unrestricted medical license in the United States, its territories, or Canada.
Part II. Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
- Twenty-five AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM credits per year through the ten-year MOC cycle, eight of which must qualify as self-assessment CME
- One patient safety activity over the 10-year MOC cycle
- Two self-review tests over the 10-year MOC cycle; the Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORT)
Part III. Cognitive Expertise
One MOC written exam successfully completed in years 6-10 of the 10-year MOC cycle; the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge examination (DOCK)
Part IV. Practice Performance Assessment
Two practice improvement activities (once between years one and five and once between years six and ten)
Who is affected?
Although participation in MOC is currently open to all Board Certified ophthalmologists on a voluntary basis, ophthalmologists who were Board Certified after July 1, 1992 are required to participate in this process. If you were certified prior to 1992 and wish to enroll in MOC visit the
ABO's Web site.What are the dates, deadlines and timeline for the MOC process?
The specific requirements of each component and timelines will vary for individual ophthalmologists according to year most recently certified or recertified. For detailed dates, deadlines and timelines visit the
ABO's Web site.
What are the exams based on?
The DOCK and PORT exam questions are based on the
Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC), a knowledge base of information developed by teams of practicing ophthalmologists, who are members of the Academy. The POC comprises the most clinically relevant information that practicing ophthalmologists in each subspecialty need to know to remain certified. The POC is organized by practice emphasis area (i.e., subspecialty). This information also forms the basis for the Academy's Maintenance of Certification products and services.
Academy Assistance
MOC Study Resources. Products to help you meet MOC requirements, earn CME credits and prepare for the MOC examinations. Products are based on the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC)—the same content the ABO uses to develop exam questions for the PORT and DOCK.
