Originally established by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process is intended to create a framework for physicians to follow, establish standards, and maintain accountability in the field of medicine. The process encompasses initial as well as recertification under the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Continuing your education is vital to building your knowledge, maintaining your professional standing, and providing the best possible care for your patients.
Internal Medicine Board Certification: Initial Certification
Upon completing your post-doctoral studies, you must meet training requirements, licensure requirements, and procedural requirements. You will then be considered “board eligible,” for a seven-year period and can take the ABIM initial certification examination. Upon passing the ABIM certification exam, you will be considered “board certified.” If you do not become board certified during the seven-year period of board eligibility, you will no longer be considered board eligible and will need to undergo retraining to take the exam.
Internal Medicine Board Certification: Maintenance
ABIM certification outlines and defines the standard for physicians in the field of internal medicine. Incorporating the six general competencies established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), ABIM Maintenance of Certification is a vehicle for physicians to cultivate the habit of lifelong learning through continuous skill building and self-assessment.
To understand all of your ABIM Maintenance of Certification requirements, check out our ABIM MOC Guide.
ACGME Core Competencies: The Foundation of Maintenance of Certification
The ACGME Core Competencies are the foundation of ABIM board certification and MOC. They are recognized as the standard by which all physicians must practice, and have been widely accepted and implemented across all medical education training programs. The ACGME Core Competencies are:
- Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
- Patient Care and Procedural Skills
- Systems-Based Practice
- Medical Knowledge
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Professionalism
Obtaining and Maintaining Your Internal Medicine Board Certification
Developed by the publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review is a comprehensive learning program geared toward you: it adapts to your strengths and weaknesses, is relevant to your practice of medicine, and fits seamlessly into your schedule. Our blueprint-driven program helps you prepare for the Internal Medicine Board Certification exam, the Maintenance of Certification exam, and the ABIM Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA™), but that’s just the beginning. You can also earn your required ABIM MOC points and CME credits with our adaptive learning platform, making lifelong learning into a truly efficient, effective use of your time.
Learn more about the features and benefits of NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review.