Maintenance of Certification Area Links:
Maintenance of Certification | ABMS Guidelines | Procedures | Certificate of
MOC
Revocation of MOC Certificate | Requirements for MOC
MOC Fee Schedule
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The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery offers maintenance of certification
in the specialty. Certificates can be renewed prior to expiration by fulfilling
the requirements for maintenance of certification specified by the Board.
The maintenance of certification examination is offered annually, on a voluntary basis,
to all certified colon and rectal surgeons who apply and meet the Board’s
requirements.
In 1973, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recommended to its 23 member Boards that periodic maintenance of certification become an integral part of all Medical Specialty Certification programs. The purpose of maintenance of certification is to provide evidence that practicing colorectal surgeons have maintained acceptable continued qualifications of practice in their specialty.
While the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery initially proposed maintenance of certification in the early 1970's, and a time-limited certificate beginning in 1975, this was postponed. In 1988, the Board approved the requirements for maintenance of certification commencing in 1990 and to require maintenance of certification before eight years elapse. In 1999 this was retroactively changed to 10 years
The process of maintenance of certification is considered by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery to be voluntary. Diplomates certified prior to 1990 were issued certificates having no expiration date. The Board believes that the process of maintenance of certification allows periodic review of Diplomates, and is in the interest of the Specialty as well as the public.
Diplomates interested in participating in the maintenance of certification process are encouraged to write to the Board and request an application.
It is important that the completed application be returned to the Board for review as soon as possible after receipt by the applicant. Applications must be submitted by August 15, in the year preceding the examination.
