Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA)
The Maintenance of Certification (MOC) concept originated with the
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in 1999. As a member board of the ABMS,
the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) has been charged with implementing MOC
activities that will assure the public that its diplomates demonstrate commitment
to quality clinical outcomes and patient safety.
Each MOCA cycle is a 10-year period that includes ongoing Lifelong
Learning and Self-Assessment; continual assessment of Professional Standing (medical
licensure); periodic assessments of Practice Performance; and a decennial assessment
of Cognitive Expertise. MOCA is an opportunity for physicians to improve their skills
in six general competencies- Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning
and Improvement; Professionalism; Interpersonal and Communication Skills; and Systems-
Based Practice.
ABA diplomates certified in 2000 or after hold a time-limited certificate
and are enrolled in MOCA after initial board certification. This allows them the full 10-year
period to meet all requirements. To avoid expiration of certification, all MOCA requirements
must be completed within the 10-year period. Participation in MOCA by non-time-limited diplomates,
those certified before 2000, is voluntary and encouraged.
General Information
MOCA Components: Click to expand any of the components below for more information.
Part 1: Professional Standing
BOI Section 4.02.A
ABA diplomates must hold an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in at least one jurisdiction
of the United States or Canada. Furthermore, all US and Canadian medical licenses that a diplomate holds must be unrestricted.
To fulfill this requirement, diplomates should annually review and update their medical license information via
their portal account. Click here for instructions.
Part 2: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
BOI Section 4.02.B
ABA diplomates continually seek to improve the quality of their clinical practice and patient care through
self-directed professional development. This is done through an assessment of current knowledge and participation in continuing
medical education (CME) activities and other learning opportunities.
To fulfill this requirement, diplomates should submit CME activities to the ABA via their portal account.
Self-reported CME activities are subject to audit and verification by the ABA within three years of submission. CME activities
reported to the ABA by qualified CME providers, such as the ASA, are not subject to audit.
Part 3: Cognitive Examination
BOI Section 4.02.C
Diplomates must demonstrate their cognitive expertise once every ten years by passing an ABA examination.
The examination may be completed only in years 7 through 10 of the MOCA cycle. Diplomates are allowed to take the examination
up to twice a year. If the examination is not passed before the end of the 10-year MOCA cycle, the diplomate’s certification will expire.
Diplomates may register for the cognitive examination through their online portal account.
- Examination Dates
- Current Fees
- Examination Tutorial
You may download a tutorial from Pearson VUE onto your home computer by
clicking here.
If you are unable to load the tutorial, you may access a PDF of the
tutorial here.
A sample of 20 examination questions may be viewed here.
- Content Outline
The examination consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, of which
150 questions will be in General Anesthesia, and 50 questions will be divided approximately evenly among the following
areas: Pediatric Anesthesia, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Neuroanesthesia, Critical Care Medicine, Obstetrical/Gynecologic
Anesthesia, and Pain Medicine.
Click here to access the content outline.
Click here to access the MOCA Keywords.
- MOCA Keywords
- Pearson VUE Professional Examination Rules
- Pearson VUE Security Procedure (Palm Vein)
Part 4: Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement
BOI Section 4.02.D
Diplomates must complete multiple activities over their 10-year MOCA cycle to demonstrate that they are participating
in evaluations of their clinical practice and are engaging in practice improvement activities.
To fulfill this requirement, diplomates should submit their activities to the ABA via their portal account.
MOCA Requirements by Certification Year
Diplomates Certified in 2000
| Year |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
210 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 150 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (120 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
|
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2001
| Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
245 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 175 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (140 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
|
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2002
| Year |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
280 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 200 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (160 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
|
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2003
| Year |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
315 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 225 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (180 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
|
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2004
| Year |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 250 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Diplomates Certified in 2005
| Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 250 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Diplomates Certified in 2006
| Year |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 250 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Diplomates Certified in 2007
| Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total CME Credits with a Max of 70/year and a Min of 250 Category 1 Credits |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
|
Attestation |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Diplomates Certified in 2008
| Year |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total Credits, Max 70/year, Min 250 Category 1 which must include:
60 CME credits from ASA SEE or ACE program
20 Category 1 credits of Patient Safety CME (offered by ASA and ABMS) |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
| |
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2009
| Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total Credits, Max 70/year, Min 250 Category 1 which must include:
60 CME credits from ASA SEE or ACE program
20 Category 1 credits of Patient Safety CME (offered by ASA and ABMS) |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
| |
Attestation |
|
Diplomates Certified in 2010 or Later
| Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
| Part 1 |
Maintain unrestricted, unexpired medical license in US or Canada. All licenses held must be unrestricted. |
| Part 2 |
350 Total Credits, Max 70/year, Min 250 Category 1 which must include:
90 CME credits from ASA SEE or ACE program
20 Category 1 credits of Patient Safety CME (offered by ASA and ABMS) |
| Part 3 |
Earn Exam Prerequisites (200 CME credits) |
Pass Cognitive Examination |
| Part 4 |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
Case Evaluation or Simulation Education |
| |
Attestation |
|
Applications for MOCA Educational Products
The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) is pleased to announce that medical societies
and other healthcare organizations offering quality educational products to enable physicians to fulfill
the requirements of the ABA Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program (MOCA) may submit a
proposal for their educational products to be considered by the ABA for approval.
The ABA is willing to collaborate with select medical societies and healthcare organizations
to provide products designed to help ABA diplomates fulfill the following requirements of the MOCA program: Part 2:
Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment, and Part 4: Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement.
Process for Product Submission: Click to expand.
To submit your organization’s product to the ABA for approval:
- Review the Product requirements and guidelines carefully.
- Complete and submit the MOCA Product Application form.
- Submit the application form along with the proposed product module via email to the ABA at
moca@theABA.org. Acceptable file formats for product submission
include: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, .xlsx, .rtf
Decision Process and Timeline
- The ABA reviews MOCA Product applications on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- The ABA review and approval process takes approximately 8-10 weeks, but can take longer. During this
time, the ABA may request additional information.
- Once a final decision is reached, the Educational Sponsor will be formally notified in writing.
- If a Product application is approved, the Educational Sponsor will be required to sign a written
agreement with the ABA. The agreement will specify the terms of the arrangement.
- The Educational Sponsor is responsible for the cost of developing and administering the Product,
and for submitting a final report to the ABA of diplomate completion of the Product.
Part 2: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
Products:
Patient Safety Courses:
Part 4: Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement
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