Coronavirus: ABIM won’t take certifications during pandemic

Author(s):

Physicians who have a MOC requirement due in 2020 will have until the end of 2021 to complete it.

Physicians with a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirement due in 2020 will have more time to complete it, according to a news release from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

The April 13 release says that those who are already certified with an MOC due in 2020 will have until the end of 2021 to complete it without the fear of losing certification. This includes assessments, point requirements, or attestations. Those currently in a grace year will also be afforded an additional grace year in 2021.

ABIM will still offer all fall 2020 MOC assessments as planned allowing physicians to still take exams as planned. Offer will be forthcoming later this spring about additional assessment dates in 2020 and 2021 and how to select one, the release says.

“We are sending this message now so you can focus your time and attention where it is needed most: caring for your patients and your community,” ABIM President and CEO, Richard J. Baron, MD, writes in the release. “On behalf of ABIM, I want to personally thank you for all that you are doing for your patients during this time. If you are in a hotspot and treating patients suffering from COVID-19, my heart and my admiration go out to you. You are, every day, demonstrating the best of our profession.”

Previously, ABIM and the ABIM Foundation donated funds to #GetUsPPE which facilitated the delivery of 50,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health care workers.

Earlier this month, the board announced that registration for the August 2020 initial certification exam will continue until April 28, with entries between April 16 and 28 not being charged a late fee. No one will be able to register after April 28.

ABIM encourages participants to register and schedule their August 2020 exam even if they unsure if they will be able to take the exam at that time so that they have more flexibility and options.

This announcement followed ABIM cancelling all spring 2020 MOC assessment administrations.