Chicago, IL, April 10, 2020: In an effort to ease the burden on an already-strained physician workforce and in an effort to support its Diplomate population that is on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) announced today that it has implemented a structure that will allow for the waiver of the current Transitional MOC requirements for its Diplomates. Effective as of April 1, 2020 and continuing through December 31, 2022, Diplomates who meet the qualifications below will not be required to complete the Transitional MOC Part 2 (CME), Part 4 (Improvement in Medical Practice) or the Patient Safety Course (PSC) requirements. ABPM will recognize these qualified Diplomates as fully participating in MOC through the remainder of the ABPM’s Transitional MOC Period.
To qualify for this waiver of Part 2, Part 4 and PSC requirements, Diplomates must possess current, unexpired Certification in at least one ABPM Specialty or Subspecialty and must, by December 31, 2020:
Register their Diplomate account on the ABPM’s online Physician Portal at https://certification.abpm-us.org/diplomate-registration
Diplomates with ABPM Certificates expiring between August 1, 2020 and January 31, 2023 and who have; (i) taken and passed the MOC Exam prior to the expiration date on the Diplomate’s Certificate and, (ii) by the December 31, 2020 deadline, have registered their Diplomate account on the ABPM’s Physician Portal, will be deemed to be fully compliant with the Transitional MOC requirements.
Diplomates with ABPM Certificates expiring on or after February 1, 2023 and who have, by the December 31 ,2020 deadline, registered their Diplomate account on the ABPM’s online Physician Portal, need take no further action and shall be deemed to be fully compliant with all Transitional MOC requirements.
While not required, Diplomates who complete a Part 4 activity between February 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022 will receive credit towards the first Improvement in Medical Practice requirement (or its equivalent) of ABPM’s Continuing Certification Program which is currently scheduled to launch in April of 2023.
“The ABPM appreciates the major contributions of Preventive Medicine physicians battling the spread of COVID-19 and applauds them for their tireless dedication to the public during this challenging time,” said Hernando “Joe” Ortega, Jr., MD, MPH, ABPM Chair. “While it is important for the ABPM to continue to maintain its rigorous standards for the continuing education, development and training of our Diplomates, it is equally important that we take this action and temporarily waive Transitional MOC requirements as a responsible way to recognize the education and training that is occurring organically as our Diplomates fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Diplomates who do not qualify for the waiver by registering their Diplomate account on the ABPM’s Physician Portal by the December 31, 2020 deadline will be required to complete all Transitional MOC requirements as set forth on the ABPM website at https://www.abpm-us.org/maintain-certification/transitional-moc-to-continuing-certification-program/.
The ABPM encourages Diplomates to check its website for the latest updates and announcements on ABPM’s response to COVID-19. Diplomates may reach ABPM Staff at [email protected] with questions about their individual circumstances.
The ABPM is a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Founded in 1948, ABPM works with the ABMS in the development of standards for the ongoing assessment and certification of over 12,000 physicians certified by the ABPM in the Specialties of Aerospace Medicine, Occupational Medicine, and Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, and in the Subspecialties of Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Medical Toxicology and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.