Continuing Certification (MOC) Requirements Deferred by ABD
in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The American Board of Dermatology is taking proactive, immediate steps to modify components of our Continuing Certification (Maintenance of Certification) program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
REDUCING QUESTION VOLUME
Diplomates participating in CertLink® will have a reduced question load, from 4 segments to just 2, and an extended period for their completion. Diplomates will now have until June 30 (instead of March 31) to complete their first segment of questions. The second segment of questions will launch in July and will not be due until December 31. Diplomates also have the option of designating one of these segments as a “time off” period.
MODIFYING MOC EXAM REQUIREMENTS
Diplomates scheduled to take the MOC Exam before the end of 2020 have two options to provide some flexibility:
- Participate in CertLink instead. To join the next CertLink segment starting July 1, you must sign up during the upcoming enrollment period (April 1 - May 15). An invitation with instructions will be sent to all eligible diplomates when enrollment opens.
- Take the traditional MOC Exam and have an extra six months, until June 2021, to complete the requirement.
WAIVING 2020 CME REQUIREMENT
The CME requirement for 2020 is waived. The ABD will look to AAD, and other specialty societies, for future options to earn CME.
DEFERRING 2020 SELF-ASSESSMENT
The Self-Assessment requirement for 2020 is deferred until the end of 2021.
DEFERRING 2020 PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT
Practice Improvement exercises due in 2020 can be now deferred until the end of 2021. To help interested diplomates fulfill this requirement, the ABD recently launched an enhanced library of focused practice improvement exercises. Learn more about this portal here.
Your MOC Tables will be updated to reflect these changes as soon as reasonably possible. The ABD office staff is ready and willing to answer your questions via phone (617-910-6400 x 0) or email (communications@abderm.org).
We wish you, your families and friends good health, and applaud the efforts of the entire healthcare workforce.
See Related Announcement from the American Board of Medical Specialties: ABMS Reaffirms Support for Physicians to Focus Their Priorities on Patients, Families, and the Communities They Serve
