MDCMEOverview
The American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) uses a 5-year certification cycle with annual participation requirements. Beginning 2025, diplomates meeting CC requirements receive new certificates expiring 5 years after their current expiration date.
MOC Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CME Credits | Minimum 25 AMA Category 1/year average (50/2yr) |
| Assessment | CertLink quarterly OR CC Exam annually |
| Professional Standing | Active, unrestricted medical license |
| Professional Development | Verifiable CPD activities |
| Quality Improvement | Improving Health and Health Care activities |
CME Requirements
- Minimum: 2-year average of 25 AMA Category 1 CME credits per year
- Averaging: 50 credits over any 2-year period
- Documentation: Must maintain records for potential audit
Assessment Options
CertLink (Preferred Pathway)
- Ongoing longitudinal assessment
- Quarterly participation required
- Passing requirements must be met every 5 years
CC Exam (Alternative)
- Traditional exam administered annually in October
- Alternative to CertLink for exam-based assessment
CertLink Quarterly Deadlines
| Quarter | Dates |
|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 - March 31 |
| Q2 | April 1 - June 30 |
| Q3 | July 1 - September 30 |
| Q4 | October 1 - January 6 (extended) |
Professional Development Activities
Verifiable CPD activities include:
- Courses, classes, seminars, workshops
- Distance/online learning
- Conference attendance
- Research participation
- Writing articles or papers
- Planning or running courses
- Additional formal education
Diplomates maintain their own documentation and are subject to audit.
Improving Health and Health Care Activities
Qualifying activities include:
- Clinical quality/safety committee membership
- Peer-review process participation (OPPE)
- Root cause analysis team participation
- QI/safety publication
- National meeting presentation on QI/safety
- Regular clinical conference participation (10/year minimum)
- Quality or safety program creation/management
- QI leadership roles
- Accreditation participation (ACR, IAC)
- Radiation safety inspection participation
- ACGME program director role
- Approved registry participation (NOPR)
Exception: Diplomates with no clinical responsibilities may be exempt.
Certification Status
- Diplomates may not be more than 2 calendar years behind
- Must complete current and previous year requirements
- Status: "Actively Maintaining Certification" requires current compliance
Recertification After Lapse
- Diplomates whose certificate expired may recertify if CC requirements maintained
- Must meet passing requirement for CertLink or CC exam
- If 5+ years since last certificate expiration: must pass initial CE exam
Key Deadlines
- Each calendar year — Annual attestation and documentation required
- October 6 — CC Exam administered annually
- Quarterly — CertLink participation deadlines
- Application dates vary by year
Tips for ABNM MOC
- Track CME over 2-year periods — Averaging allows flexibility
- Choose CertLink or exam — Pick the pathway that fits your practice
- Maintain documentation — Subject to audit
- Stay within 2 years — Can't fall more than 2 years behind
Certification Matters Database
Diplomates' certification history and status shown publicly on ABMS "Certification Matters" website. Status accuracy depends on meeting annual requirements.