Maintenance of Certification Part IV Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I use the UKHC CECentral MOC Program for my MOC Part IV credit requirements?

The UKHC CECentral MOC Program was created to give affiliated physicians an institutional resource for MOC Part IV requirements, thereby alleviating the administrative burden of working directly with his/her specialty board. In cases with large groups involving multiple specialty boards, working with each board directly could be quite burdensome. We also provide resources for questions about MOC Part IV, guidance on selecting, developing, and implementing QI efforts, and feedback on QI efforts in progress.

Is there a fee for using the UKHC CECentral MOC Program to apply for MOC Part IV credit?

While there is no fee for physicians employed by UK HealthCare, there may be a fee for physicians affiliated with UK HealthCare. Check with the UKHC CECentral MOC Program regarding your affiliation. Individual specialty boards do charge fees to physicians for re-certification. Some specialty boards charge for re-certification with each of the four components of MOC, some charge yearly for membership, while others may charge a general fee for all four components at the end of each certification cycle. Fees vary greatly among specialty boards. Please click Resources for the American Board of Medical Specialties Member Boards to access links to each website for current fees.

My QI project is already completed. Can I apply for MOC Part IV credit through the UKHC CECentral MOC Program?

If there was QI project activity after June 1, 2013, when the UKHC CECentral MOC Program was approved as a Portfolio Sponsor by the ABMS™ Portfolio Program, it may quality for MOC Part IV credit if all other requirements are met. Please contact the UK HealthCare MOC Program with questions regarding project eligibility.

What are the additional requirements of a project leader?

The project leader is responsible for submitting the UKHC MOC Part IV Credit Application Sections I and II for review and approval, providing periodic updates on the progress of the QI project to the UKHC CECentral MOC Program, and monitoring/verifying meaningful participation for each member of the project team.

My specialty board is not a participant in the ABMS™ Portfolio Program. Will the UKHC CECentral MOC Program still review my QI project?

We are not able to provide project reviews for specialty boards not currently participating in the Multi-Specialty Portfolio Approval Program. However, additional specialty boards are being added regularly to the ABMS™ Portfolio Program. If a specialty board is not currently a participant, physicians should check back periodically for updates and follow the guidance from their specialty board in the interim.

My specialty board is not currently a participant in the ABMS™ Portfolio Program. Do you know if my board is considering participation?

Some of the specialty boards currently not participating in the ABMS™ Portfolio Program are in the process of becoming participants. We will periodically update this website, but we recommend that you check with your ABMS specialty board website for the current status.

Do I need to register my QI project with other UK HealthCare offices?

No. The UKHC CECentral MOC Program partners with the Office of Enterprise of Quality and Safety and will review and approve MOC Part IV credit independently.

Should I seek UK Medical Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for my QI project?

Some QI projects and forms of patient data use may require review by the UK Medical Institutional Review Board.

If a physician seeks to publish the results of a QI project in a professional journal, then UK Medical Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval may be a requirement of the specific journal(s).

Will the UKHC CECentral MOC Program assist me in obtaining my re-certification for MOC Part II or III?

The UKHC CECentral MOC Program focuses on MOC Part IV re-certification only. Physicians must work with their individual boards regarding re-certification for MOC Part II or III.

Will fulfilling my MOC Part IV requirements for re-certification also fulfill my MOC Part II requirements?

Please refer to your specialty board to determine if MOC Part IV credit can count toward fulfilling the requirements of MOC Part II credit.

Will fulfilling my MOC Part IV requirements for re-certification fulfill my Maintenance of Licensure (MOL) requirements?

Fulfilling the requirements of MOC may be considered a part of fulfilling the requirements of MOL. According to the Federation of State Medical Boards, MOL and MOC both value the concept of lifelong learning and continued professional development. However, MOL is not the same as Maintenance of Certification, which is produced by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). State medical boards do not require specialty certification or recertification (i.e., MOC) for licensure or licensure renewal, and that is not expected to change. Although MOC is not required by state medical boards for licensure, the FSMB’s proposed MOL system recommends that state medical boards recognize physicians actively engaged in MOC in their area of practice as being in substantial compliance with MOL. We recommend that for your own MOL requirements you check with the boards of medical licensure for the states in which you are licensed.

What recourse do I have if the UKHC CECentral MOC Part IV Review Committee does not approve my QI project or my MOC Part IV credit on the basis of meaningful participation?

If there is a question regarding approval of the QI project or physician participation for Part IV credit, the first level of adjudication of such disputes is with the UKHC CECentral MOC Part IV Review Committee Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs will investigate the circumstances of the dispute and provide a decision. If a physician wishes to appeal this decision, the second level of adjudication is the UK HealthCare Chief Medical Officer.