The Role of CME in Maintaining Board Certification

CMEList January 31, 2024

In the fast-evolving world of medicine, staying at the forefront of knowledge is a never-ending commitment. For medical professionals, maintaining board certification is a testament to their dedication to delivering the highest standards of care and shows that they are staying current in medical knowledge to treat their patients. CME plays a vital role in maintaining board certification and in this blog post, we’ll be exploring why it is critical.

For a complete list of courses on CMEList that earn CME & MOC simultaneously, click here.

MOC: The Board's Expectations

Board certification is a dynamic process, and medical boards constantly refine their standards to align with the latest advancements in healthcare. You must earn MOC points every two years to be reported as Participating in MOC. To be reported as Certified, you must earn a total of 100 points every 5 years and meet the MOC assessment requirement through the traditional 10-year exam, the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA™), or a Collaborative Maintenance Pathway (CMP) assessment.

Earning MOC Points Through CME

As far as earning points goes, you could complete ABIM activities or QI/PI activities, but you can accomplish two things at once by earning MOC points through CME activities. If you’re trying to complete your CME requirements while maintaining MOC certification, this is your best option.

However, not all CME activities earn MOC points. It is best to check with the CME provider to make sure the activity you want to complete will earn you MOC points, as well. Luckily, on CMEList, we host a number of courses that earn both MOC points and CME credits.

Below is a list of CME activities that are eligible to earn MOC points:

  • Live and online courses
  • Going to society meetings in a live or virtual setting
  • Grand Rounds and Tumor Boards (e.g., Regularly scheduled series)
  • Quality/Performance improvement
  • Reading journal articles
  • Internet search tools that support clinical decisions at the point of care
  • Test-item writing
  • Committee learning
  • Manuscript review
  • Other
  • Learning from teaching

Maximize Your Time

Clinicians have hectic schedules and it could be difficult to squeeze in important tasks like earning CME and maintaining MOC. By completing CME activities that also earn MOC points, you are completing two tasks at once and saving a ton of time so you can get back to doing what you do best: taking care of patients.

Professional Development

By showing your patients that you demonstrate a commitment to staying up-to-date on medical advances, knowledge, and best practices, they’ll feel safer and are more likely to trust you as their healthcare provider. Additionally, continuing education and professional development enhance your skills and competence, ensuring you can provide the highest quality care possible. This dedication not only benefits your patients but also strengthens your professional reputation and satisfaction in your work.

Precision in Learning

Boards set specific requirements for maintaining certification, and CME allows medical professionals to tailor their educational pursuits with precision. Whether it's acquiring a deeper understanding of a specific medical subspecialty, staying current with advancements in treatment and care, or addressing emerging healthcare challenges, CME offers a spectrum of courses that align with the diverse requirements set by certifying boards.

Choose the Best

Navigating the vast sea of CME options can be overwhelming, and that's where platforms like CMEList come into play. As a comprehensive list, CMEList streamlines the process of finding CME activities specifically tailored to board certification requirements. The platform acts as a navigator, guiding medical professionals towards courses that not only enhance their knowledge but also fulfill the criteria outlined by their certifying boards. Consider us a shopping mall with all of your trusted CME providers, including ones that also earn you MOC points.

Below is a list of our top CME activities that earn MOC points: