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FAQ


How does the new MOC (Maintenance of Certification) process work?

Obstetricians and Gynecologists are certified by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG). Before 1986, ABOG certified candidates for life. Beginning in 1986, candidates achieving Board certification were issued a 10-year certificate; starting in 2001, initial Board certification was further limited to 6 years. In order to remain Board-certified after their certificate expired, candidates had to be "recertified". Until 2008, candidates could choose one of three ways to remain certified. They could take a written exam or an oral exam every six years, or they could read ABOG's article assignments and complete a take-home test yearly.

Beginning January 1, 2008, recertification has been replaced by MOC, or "maintenance of certification." MOC is a continuous six-year cycle which every ob/gyn must complete in order to remain Board-certified. There are four parts to MOC. The first part, "professional standing"simply requires that a physician holds an unrestricted medical license in all states/territories in which they are licensed to practice, and that they agree to abide by ACOG's ethical polices and ABOG's guidelines and policies, as published in the ABOG Bulletin. Part 2 of the MOC process consists of reading assigned articles yearly and passing a take-home test based on those articles; part 2 of MOC is essentially equivalent to the old ABC (Annual Board Certification) process. Part 3 of MOC consists of a secure, proctored written exam administered every six years. Diplomates must take the written exam in the fifth or sixth year of every MOC cycle; since MOC began on January 1 2008, the first written exams will be offered in 2012. Part 4 of MOC consists of self-assessment of practice performance: Together with ACOG, ABOG is developing educational "modules" which physicians can use to assess their own practice patterns and policies. These would typically require physicians to pull charts from their practice and self-assess whether "best practices" are employed. While the "modules" are not graded, physicians must complete ten of them over each six-year MOC cycle to remain Board-certified.

More information on the MOC process is available at http://abog.org/main/faqmoc.html.

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When do I need to start the MOC process?

If your initial Board certification was attained between 1986 and 2002, you’ll need to start the MOC process in 2008. Start by logging in to www.abog.org, using your ID number and password at the "Member Login" prompt. Here, you’ll apply to take Part II of the 2008 MOC exam, as described above. Reading the 2008 articles and successfully completing the take-home test will extend your Board-certification to December 31, 2009. If you do not know your ABOG ID number or password, you can retrieve it at http://www.abog-wh.com/applications/U_Request.asp.

Note that your application and fee for Part II of the MOC process must be received before February 28, 2008 to avoid a late fee.

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When will I receive my question books from ABOG?

The Board previously mailed (or emailed) test booklets to candidates in January, April and July. Beginning in 2008, test questions will be accessed online by logging into www.abog.org. After registering for the MOC process, diplomates may access the titles and citations of articles cited by the Board, together with the questions pertaining to those articles. The test process is now completed online and answers submitted electronically. Note that the Board does NOT provide the full text of the articles due to copyright laws.

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What is the deadline for returning the answers?

For 2007, all answers have to be received by the Board by September 28th.

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How long before I'm notified of my results?

ABOG indicates that applicants are notified of their results within nine weeks; applicants are encouraged to contact the Board if results are not received by November 30th.

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What if I fail the ABC exam?

ABOG will allow candidates to re-take the same examination (for an additional fee) if they fail the ABC examination. If you fail the ABC examination after purchasing a full-year subscription to Rapid Recert, we will refund your subscription fee. See our terms and conditions for details.

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How do I contact ABOG?

You can write to ABOG at 2915 Vine Street, Dallas, TX 75204. You can fax ABOG at (214) 871-1943. Further information is available at the ABOG website ( www.ABOG.org ).

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What's the difference between Basic Service and Premium Print Service?

Basic Service subscribers have unlimited online access to our summaries by logging into our website. Premium Print Service subscribers receive each set of summaries in print by mail, professionally bound and sheathed in a protective jacket. Premium Print Service includes complimentary online access as well.

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When will summaries be available on RapidRecert.com?

We strive to produce our summaries as rapidly as possible without sacrificing quality. Subscribers will typically be able to access summaries online about two weeks after distribution of titles by the Board. Subscribers to our Premium Print Service can expect to receive their summary books by mail 4-6 weeks after release of article titles.

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Can I print the summaries?

Yes. Our website is configured to allow users to print article summaries. According to our terms and conditions, these summaries are for the sole use of the subscriber. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction of copyrighted materials is both unethical and unlawful. To print a summary, open it and click "print this page" near the top of the screen. If you prefer to receive the summaries by mail--bound, printed and sheathed in a protective jacket-- choose our Premium Print Service.

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What forms of payment do you accept?

Payment is accepted through credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. PayPal is accepted.

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How long are the summaries?

Summaries are typically 1-2 pages in length.

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Are the answers definitely in the summaries?

We initially prepare our summaries without referencing the questions on the ABC exam; this ensures that subscribers obtain a truly complete summary of the ideas and results presented in the articles. In the final editing step, consideration is given to the questions asked in the ABC exam.

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Does Rapid Recert provide summaries for the subspecialty (e.g., MFM) recertification exams?

At present, we do not provide this service.

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