| Frequently asked questions:
Summary Of Requirements
What are the new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements?
The ABO has established requirements to take place over the 10-year MOC cycle. These requirements fall into four broad areas: 1. Evidence of Professional Standing
You will be required to submit proof of licensure to practice medicine in the U.S., its territories or Canadian province twice – when you begin the MOC process and when you register for the examination. 2. Evaluation of Practice Performance
You will be required to perform an Office Record Review (ORR), a self-review of clinical practice. The self-review utilizes modules that encompass the standards of care and practice patterns related to different diagnoses (ORR modules). This must be completed once during the 10-year MOC cycle. 3. Evidence of Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
The following requirements must be met over the 10-year MOC cycle: - Continuing Medical Education (CME): An average of 30 category 1 CME credits per year
- Ethics: Three hours of ethics CME
- Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORT): You must take two 50-item, Web-based self-review tests – one in Core Ophthalmic Knowledge and one in a practice emphasis area of choice. This process begins in 2006.
4. Evidence of Cognitive Expertise
The Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) is a proctored, closed book 150-item examination that will replace the current take-home, open-book CREW examination beginning in September 2006. The DOCK, which must be completed once during the MOC cycle, consists of three 50-item sections (one in Core ophthalmic knowledge, and two drawn from your choice of a maximum of two practice emphasis areas). 
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. The schedule of requirements and timelines will vary for ophthalmologists according to year most recently certified or recertified. For a detailed schedule of requirements check the ABO's Web site.
When does the recertification process take effect?
The new MOC process started in 2006. Depending on the year you were certified or recertified, your schedule may vary. Visit the ABO's Web site for more comprehensive information on the transition from recertification to MOC.
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. The POC comprises the clinically relevant information a practicing ophthalmologist needs to know to remain certified, and 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
The Academy will support you with information and materials to help you through the MOC process. Tools that are available now include: - POC Topics: Arranged by practice emphasis area (subspecialties) and available at no charge and only through the Academy, the POC Topics provide a high-level view of what may be covered in the ABO’s DOCK and PORT examinations.
- Ethics Courses: The Ethical Ophthalmologist Series, three CME credit-bearing ethics online courses (also available in audio CD format).
- CME Central: A handy way to organize, maintain and keep track of all your CME credits.
MOC Study Resources: Products to help you meet MOC requirements, earn CME credits and prepare for the MOC examinations. All products are based on the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC). - MOC Exam Review Course™: The course is specifically designed to help you prepare for the ABO's DOCK examination. This interactive course will be based on the POC, the same content being used to create the DOCK examination, and will be taught by the ophthalmologists that developed this knowledge base. Registration information for the 2007 course will be available soon.
The content of MOC Version 1.0 is only relevant for the ABO’s September 2007 DOCK Examination. We are discontinuing Version 1.0 products on October 1, 2007 and they will no longer be available. Beginning November 1, 2007, all members will automatically be upgraded to MOC Version 2.0 which will be available exclusively online. The new MOC Exam Study Kit Version 2.0, will feature revised content to help you prepare for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 DOCK examinations. If you are not a member and would like to become one to take advantage of access to free benefits such as the MOC Exam Study Kit, please call Customer Service at 866-561-8558 or email customer_service@aao.org. To access the MOC Exam Study Kit Version 2.0 on November 1, 2007, Academy members should visit www.aao.org/moc.
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