Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program

Abstract

Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA) is a 10-year program of self-assessment, continued education, and evaluation of practice administered by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and intended to ensure physician competency. The MOCA program assesses competence in the following six areas: patient care; medical knowledge; practice-based learning and improvement; interpersonal and communication skills; professionalism; and systems-based practice. The first MOCA cycle starts on the day of initial certification. A new cycle begins thereafter every 10 years upon successful awarding of maintenance of certification. Participation in MOCA is mandatory for diplomates whose initial certification was granted on or after January 1, 2000, as these diplomates received time-limited certifications which expire 10 years from the date of issue. For these diplomates, initial registration in MOCA occurs automatically. Diplomates certified before January 1, 2000 were conferred lifelong certifications; their participation in MOCA, while encouraged, is voluntary. The exact requirements for MOCA differ depending on initial year of certification. Furthermore, the requirements for maintenance of certification continue to be refined. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the MOCA program and be vigilant to changes that occur as the program evolves.