Although health providers complete several years of medical schooling, the learning never stops. In fact, to maintain licensure and certification, you must participate in continuing medical education (CME) and maintenance of certification (MOC) activities.
If you’re curious about the difference between MOC points versus CME credits, you’re in the right place. Below, explore how they compare, their requirements, and how you can earn both simultaneously.
What Is Continuing Medical Education?
CME is typically a requirement for maintaining state licensure. It’s designed to help you stay up to date with the latest industry developments and enhance your knowledge and skills. CME conferences, enduring materials, and medical journals are popular ways to earn credits.
Many state boards require practitioners to earn a specific number of CME credits. Your employer or professional associations may as well. That said, how many you need to earn can vary depending on specialty and location, so it’s critical to review your requirements regularly.
What Happens If I Don’t Meet My CME Requirements?
Failing to earn CME credits prevents you from renewing your medical license. Additionally, it can:
- Put you at risk of financial penalties
- Result in disciplinary action
Plus, you’ll likely be required to make them up anyway if you want to continue practicing medicine.
What Are MOC Points?
MOC points are another requirement for practitioners, though they relate to board certification. They are overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), but individual specialties can set their own MOC criteria.
To earn MOC points, the activity must meet these four criteria:
- Professional standing: You must have evidence that you hold a valid, unrestricted license and hospital credentials.
- Lifelong learning and self-assessment: You must pass a Self-Assessment Examination.
- Cognitive expertise: You must complete a formal exam or Knowledge Assessment.
- Practice performance: You must have evidence of performance and quality improvements.
MOC points are often required by your insurer or employer. Staying on top of them helps ensure you maintain board certification as well.
How Do I Obtain MOC Points?
Various activities can qualify for MOC points. Common examples include Longitudinal Knowledge Assessments, society meetings, grand rounds, and journal-based learning.
If you’re not sure how to find activities that qualify for MOC, several boards have collaborated with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to make the process easier. These boards include:
- The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
- The American Board of Anesthesiology
- The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
- The American Board of Preventive Medicine
- The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- The American Board of Pediatrics
- The American Board of Surgery
- The American Board of Pathology
For example, the ABIM-ACCME program helps providers find CME activities that also qualify for MOC.
Why You Need to Earn MOC Points
Like CME, MOC points are crucial to your professional development and becoming a better practitioner. Additional benefits of MOC and maintaining board certification include:
- Increased knowledge about medications and best practices
- Improved diagnostic skills
- Decreased likelihood of disciplinary action
- Greater odds of patient treatment adherence
- Reduced Medicare spending
Maintaining board certification also enhances your reputation, which helps protect you against malpractice, fines, sanctions, and lower reimbursement rates.
Are MOC Points the Same as CME Credits?
Many activities that offer AMA PRA Category 1™ or Category 2™ CME Credits are eligible for MOC points. If the CME reflects your specialty and is registered for MOC with the ACCME, you can earn points and credits toward both requirements.
Ready to earn CME that also qualifies for MOC? Browse our upcoming conferences to get started!
