Evolution of the MOC Program in 2024

September 19, 2023 | Author: Royal College Staff

3 MIN READ

In this article:

Thanks to the feedback we have heard from you over the years and through targeted, extensive consultations to improve the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program, we are pleased to highlight some exciting developments going forward. We heard you loud and clear: change was needed. You shared that program changes should be grounded in meaningful learning and focused on professional and practical improvements to reflect the continuing evolution of specialist competence after certification.

The refreshed MOC Program will be phased in during 2024. Throughout the year, you will see changes in three key program areas: reduced cycle requirements, greater selection of eligible learning options and simplified activity logging to reduce administrative load.

Note: for members whose five-year cycle concludes on December 31, 2023, the existing cycle requirements apply and remain unchanged until the end of the current calendar year.

While we are excited to share the good news about the changes coming your way next year, first we’d like to highlight some of the things that are continuing.

What elements of the 2024 MOC Program are not changing?

Here are the elements that will remain unchanged:

five-year MOC cycles;
many Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3 credit options;
group, independent/self-directed learning credits (Sections 1 & 2);
learning credits for assessment/practice improvement (Section 3);
accredited and unaccredited learning credits; and
January 31 reporting deadline.

What elements of the 2024 MOC Program are changing?

MOC cycle requirements

As of 2024, the five-year MOC cycle requirements will be reduced for all active Fellows and health care professionals (HCPs).

Here are the new cycle requirements coming into effect in 2024:

The total number of required credits per cycle will be reduced from 400 to 250, aligning the Royal College with current approaches to continuous learning.
The annual minimum credit accumulation will be reduced from 40 to 25.
There will be no minimum credit requirement for Section 1 and Section 2. The minimum requirement of 25 credits in these sections has been removed, making it simpler for you to claim your learning activities.
Section 3 maintains a requirement of a minimum of 25 credits at the end of the five-year cycle and includes one Feedback Received activity focusing on meaningful learning and continuous practice improvement.

MOC Framework and platform

Accompanying the changes to the MOC cycle requirements, we’ll be introducing a refreshed MOC Framework, including an expanded list of applicable learning options for your credits.

An improved MOC experience for all members will be enabled by new technologies. Currently under development, these technologies will provide you with a modern, consistent and adaptive digital experience with curated learning content and simplified credit tracking.

What happens to my current MOC five-year cycle?

When the reduced cycle requirements, refreshed framework and updated platform come into effect throughout 2024, your current five-year MOC cycle will not be affected. Our transition plan includes the following key elements:

You will not lose any credits already entered in MAINPORT.
You will maintain your current five-year cycle with no interruption.
Your existing credits will be automatically carried over to the new platform on your behalf.

What do I need to do now?

For the time being, it is status quo. You can continue entering credits into MAINPORT as you normally do to meet your minimum annual requirements of 40 credits for 2023 and/or to complete your cycle requirements if your cycle is ending December 31, 2023.

You will continue to have access to input your 2023 credits in MAINPORT until the regular January reporting deadline (January 31, 2024). Later in 2024, we will provide advance notice asking you to temporarily stop entering your credits into MAINPORT in preparation for the transition to a simplified credit tracking system.

What will my MOC cycle look like beginning in 2024?

See the table below for a quick reference guide to the cycle requirements for 2023-2027. Note: for members whose five-year cycle concludes on December 31, 2023, the existing cycle requirements apply and remain unchanged until the end of the current year.

MOC cycle ending on	MOC cycle requirements
December 31, 2023	By the end of my five-year cycle	400 credits Section 1: minimum 25 credits with a maximum of 50 credits for unaccredited activities Section 2: minimum 25 credits Section 3: minimum 25 credits Yearly: minimum 40 credits
As of 2024
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2025 December 31, 2026 December 31, 2027	By the end of my five-year cycle	250 credits Section 1: no minimum with a maximum of 50 credits for unaccredited activities Section 2: no minimum Section 3: minimum 25 credits (including one Feedback Received activity) Yearly: minimum 25 credits

For Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) members ending their five-year cycle in 2023, the Royal College will

maintain the current MOC cycle until the CMQ reporting deadline of March 31, 2024; and
harmonize the MOC/CMQ cycles so that a new cycle begins in 2024, following the introduction of the new cycle requirements.

Stay connected, stay informed

We are committed to keeping you informed about the exciting changes to and evolution of the MOC Program.

To support your transition in the coming months, watch for regular updates from the Royal College through future issues of Dialogue newsletter, regular member communication about your MOC cycle, and social media channels: X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.

Questions? Contact the Royal College Services Centre at 613-730-6243, 1-800-461-9598 or cpd@royalcollege.ca.