Maintain Your Certification and Licensure

View resources to help members understand and meet MOC and MOL requirements.

Understanding Maintenance of Licensure (MOL)

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which represents the nation's state medical boards, has developed a plan for MOL. Licensing requirements vary by state. In most states, physicians must show that they have obtained a required amount of continuing education credit. The FSMB maintains an index of state licensing boards.

Understanding Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

APA can guide you on your pathway to understanding and meeting the four components of MOC. We will keep you up-to-date on the latest MOC Activity Requirements you need to know. APA offers a wide variety of CME and MOC approved activities to help you achieve your CME, MOC, and MOL requirements. All physicians are encouraged to use the ABPN Physician Folio to track progress and requests.

MOC Part 1

Professional Standing (Licensure)

MOC Part 2

Lifelong Learning (CME) Self-Assessment

MOC Part 3

Cognitive Expertise (Certification/Recertification)

MOC Part 4

Improvement in Medical Practice (Performance in Practice)

Psychiatry Review and Exam Prep for Psychiatrists

Review your knowledge and expand clinical expertise with a collection of board exam preparation resources.

A Psychiatrist’s Guide to MOC

Download A Psychiatrist’s Guide to MOC.

APA and MOC Reform: What APA Is Doing for You

Learn about APA's efforts on behalf of members to reform MOC, advocate against additional requirements, ensure requirements are relevant to psychiatric practices and establish a fair process for psychiatrists who demonstrate meaningful learning and improvement.

APA Learning Center

The APA’s convenient online resource for completing and tracking CME, Self-Assessment, Performance in Practice(PIP), and professional development activities.

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)

The APA and ABPN are separate and independent organizations. The ABPN sets MOC requirements, implements the maintenance of certification (MOC) program for psychiatrists, and monitors participation for its diplomates (board certified physicians).

The ABPN sets standards and requirements for certification and MOC for:

Psychiatry and psychiatric subspecialties, including:
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Clinical Neurophysiology
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- Pain Medicine
Neurology and neurology subspecialties

The ABPN is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS sets the general standards for all specialties and the ABPN implements the programs for psychiatry and neurology.