Begin Certification
Earn your certification through a series of exams: BASIC, ADVANCED and APPLIED.
Continue Certification
Sharpen your knowledge and advance your practice through MOCA.
Training Programs
Prepare for certification exams through a variety of training options.
About
Setting standards and leading innovation for the practice of anesthesiology since 1938
A decade of minutes that matter
Raleigh, N.C. (August 3, 2026) — The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of MOCA Minute, the innovative longitudinal assessment program that transformed continuing certification for board-certified anesthesiologists and influenced how medical specialty boards approach continuing certification.
Launched in 2016 in response to physician feedback, the ABA designed MOCA Minute to offer a more meaningful, flexible and clinically relevant approach to assessment than a single high-stakes examination every 10 years.
The introduction of MOCA Minute signified a major shift in continuing certification. Rather than viewing assessment as a once-per-decade event, the ABA created an opportunity for continuous learning throughout a physician’s career. Through regular, practice-relevant questions and personalized feedback, diplomates can identify knowledge gaps, reinforce important concepts and stay current with advances in anesthesiology.
Today, more than 40 thousand board-certified anesthesiologists participate annually in MOCA Minute, marking the program as a cornerstone of continuing certification and lifelong learning in anesthesiology. The ABA’s research on MOCA Minute indicates value, with a recent study showing substantial gains in learning and knowledge retention on repeat questions.
As the first medical specialty board to offer a longitudinal assessment model as an alternative to a traditional high-stakes exam, the ABA set the standard for broader adoption across the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) community. In 2021, ABMS made longitudinal assessment a continuing certification standard, requiring all boards to provide a longitudinal assessment based on the ABA’s pioneering effort.
Over the last decade, MOCA Minute has continued to evolve alongside the specialty, adapting to emerging clinical topics, advances in medicine and the changing needs of anesthesiologists. The platform’s flexibility allows the ABA to quickly develop and deploy new questions in response to emerging trends and critical events in health care. For example, in 2020, the ABA was able to introduce MOCA Minute questions about the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ten years ago, we challenged ourselves to rethink how physicians continue their certification and demonstrate knowledge,” said ABA Secretary John E. Fiadjoe, M.D., MBA. “The success of MOCA Minute reflects the ABA’s commitment to listening to our board-certified anesthesiologists, embracing innovation and continually improving the certification experience.”
The ABA remains focused on evolving MOCA Minute to meet the needs of future generations of anesthesiologists. As part of its Strategic Plan, the ABA is working toward its vision to transform certification and shape the future of anesthesiology through an innovative, digital-first assessment ecosystem that supports training, initial and subspecialty certification and continuing certification.
“Digital-first” refers to an approach where the entire assessment process, from development and delivery to scoring and feedback, leverages digital technologies. The ABA is incorporating this approach as it works toward a seamless continuing certification system that prioritizes accessibility and convenience.
To support this effort, the ABA is developing a personalized, performance-based CME recommender model and incorporating diplomates’ feedback on MOCA Minute questions with the new MOCA Minute Feedback Report. After answering each question, board-certified anesthesiologists are prompted to share open-ended feedback and rate the relevance. This report aggregates those comments, identifies key themes and outlines actions taken. The ABA is committed to ensuring MOCA Minute is a meaningful, relevant and effective tool for lifelong learning and professional development.
The ABA is also currently piloting article-based MOCA Minute questions to share new and relevant advancements in anesthesiology. Questions are derived from recent articles published in “Anesthesiology,” the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) peer-reviewed flagship journal and are posted to the ABA’s website in advance.
Throughout the anniversary year, the ABA will share stories and perspectives from board-certified anesthesiologists , volunteers and physician leaders who have helped shape the program’s first decade and its continued impact on the specialty.
###
About the American Board of Anesthesiology
The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) has served as the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, partnering with physicians to elevate the specialty. Our mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. We administer initial and subspecialty certification exams and the MOCA continuing certification program, which facilitates lifelong learning with a focus on quality and safety.
The ABA’s work extends far beyond assessment. We prioritize innovation, research, technology and programming that promote exceptional patient care and clinical outcomes. Our dedicated staff collaborates with more than 700 board-certified anesthesiologist volunteers who develop exam and MOCA content, inform policy, serve as examiners and provide critical feedback. Their contributions across numerous committees and task forces drive the ABA’s strategic progress and help shape the future of the specialty.
Based in Raleigh, N.C., we are a nonprofit organization and a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
About MOCA Minute
MOCA Minute is the ABA’s longitudinal assessment program within the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA®) program. Delivered throughout the year, MOCA Minute provides diplomates with clinically relevant questions, educational resources and personalized feedback designed to support continuous learning and professional growth.
