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Requirements for MOC

American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Requirements

Diplomates who certify/recertify after January 1, 2010 must participate in MOC to maintain their certification.  Applicants for MOC, must hold a certificate issued by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the time of their application for MOC.  Expiration of a certificate will not disqualify a candidate for entering the MOC process however; the applicant can not claim certification in the interim.

MOC Requirements

Reciprocity will be granted to those colon and rectal surgeons who are participating in and fulfilling the requirements of the American Board of Surgery MOC process. With submission of proper documentation, only two additional requirements will be necessary:

1.  Completion of CARSEP at a minimum of every 5 years and
2.  Successful completion of a secure exam administered by the ABCRS every 10 year

Detailed Requirements for Maintenance of Certification:

Diplomates participating in the MOC process must hold a certificate issued by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Expiration of a certificate will not disqualify a candidate for MOC; however, the applicant can not claim certification in the interim.

Part I - Professional Standing

A.  MOC participants must hold a valid registered, full, and unrestricted license to practice in the United States, its territories,
or Canada.  Diplomates must inform the ABCRS of any restrictions placed on any active medical license they hold.

B.   Participants must be in the active practice or teaching of surgery and hold privileges to practice surgery in hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or such other hospitals as judged acceptable to the Board.

C.  MOC participants must present a statement of professional and moral character from the chief of surgery, president, chief of medical staff, or similar official in those hospitals in which practice privileges are exercised.

Part II - Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment

A.  Diplomates will be required to participate in a self-assessment process at least twice during the 10-year MOC cycle.  This will be provided through the Colon and Rectal Surgery Educational Program (CARSEP) which the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons updates every 3 years.

B.   Diplomates must also provide documentation of 150 Category I CME credits in general or colorectal surgery every 5 years (credit from CARSEP can be included).  Eligible credit may include participation in:  postgraduate courses, approved CME courses and conferences, and learning programs (acceptable when a certificate is provided).

Part III - Cognitive Expertise

A.  Diplomates wishing to fulfill the requirements of MOC must submit an operative log consisting of cases performed 12 months prior to applying for the MOC examination.

B.   Participants in the MOC process must successfully complete a secure exam administered by the ABCRS every 10 years.

Part IV - Evaluation of Performance in Practice Examination

A.  Communication and Interpersonal Skills – Not currently required.  Tools for evaluation of this component are still being developed.

B.   Clinical Practice Data can be fulfilled by participation in one of four options:

1.   NSQIP
2.   SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Program).
3.   ACS Case Log System (Six months of data is required, either anorectal or abdominal).
4.   Other Database (Local, Regional or National).

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