MDCMEOverview
The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) uses a 5-year MOC cycle with a four-component framework. CME is the backbone of the program, with approximately 40 credits required annually.
MOC Requirements
Four-part framework:
| Part | Component | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Professionalism | Active, unrestricted medical license |
| Part 2 | Lifelong Learning | ~40 CME/year including 8 self-assessment |
| Part 3 | Assessment | Longitudinal assessment |
| Part 4 | IHHC | Improving Health and Health Care projects |
CME Requirements
- Approximately 40 CME credits per year (200 total over 5-year cycle estimated)
- Minimum 8 self-assessment CME credits per year
- NEW: ABPMR diplomates no longer need to upload CME certificates
- ACCME-accredited providers now report directly to ACCME, which shares with ABPMR
Longitudinal Assessment
Part 3 assessment features:
- Customizable across five practice domains
- Self-paced — Answer at your own pace
- Learning-focused — Designed to help learn and improve over time
- Assesses knowledge while supporting professional development
Part 1: Professionalism
Beyond licensing requirements:
- Patient needs prioritization
- Staying current with medical knowledge
- Ethical standards adherence
- Active, unrestricted medical license maintenance
Part 4: IHHC Projects
Improving Health and Health Care (IHHC) requirements:
- Required projects for each cycle
- NEW: Residents may "bank" qualifying IHHC project during residency
- Banked project can apply toward first five-year CC cycle
- Demonstrates continuous improvement for patients
- Tools provided for measurement and quantification
ACCME Collaboration (NEW)
Simplified CME tracking:
- CME providers report directly to ACCME
- ACCME shares data securely with ABPMR
- Simplifies CC compliance for diplomates
- No need to manually upload CME certificates
Specialty Certifications
ABPMR offers certification in:
| Specialty | Re-Entry Available |
|---|---|
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Yes (PRM Re-Entry) |
| Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (SCIM) | Yes (SCIM Re-Entry) |
| Pain Medicine | — |
| Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine | — |
| Sports Medicine | — |
| Neuromuscular Medicine | — |
| Brain Injury Medicine (BIM) | Yes (BIM Re-Entry) |
Grand Rounds Presentation
NEW: ABPMR offers unique opportunity for residents and diplomates focusing on board certification and continuing certification insights.
Tips for ABPMR MOC
- Track self-assessment CME — 8 credits per year minimum required
- No more uploading — ACCME handles CME reporting
- Bank IHHC as resident — Can count toward first CC cycle
- Customize your assessment — Choose domains relevant to your practice