Reference guide
CME & MOC recertification requirements by board
"Just earn 50 credits a year" is a myth. Every certifying board counts differently — some over a rolling window, some over a fixed multi-year block, several with a self-assessment floor tucked inside the total. Here's how the major boards actually structure recertification, and why a running total alone won't tell you if you're on track.
On this page
Why a running total lies to you
The number of credits you've earned total is almost meaningless for recertification. What matters is how many count inside the window your board measures, whether you've met any required sub-category floor, and whether you're on pace to finish before the cycle ends. A physician can have 300 lifetime credits and still be "behind pace" on a rolling-window requirement — because credits earned four years ago rolled out of view.
Rolling windows vs. fixed cycles
Two fundamentally different clocks, and mixing them up is where people get surprised:
- Rolling window — you must hold N credits earned in the trailing X months at any given time (e.g. 75 credits in the last 36 months). The target moves with you; old credits expire out the back.
- Fixed cycle (block) — you must earn N credits/points within a defined start-to-end period (e.g. 100 points per 5-year block). Credits don't expire mid-cycle; the deadline is the cycle's end date.
Self-assessment floors & MOC points
Many boards require that part of your total come from a specific activity type — most commonly self-assessment (SA-CME). A "150 credits, of which ≥50 must be self-assessment" rule means you can be complete on the headline number and still be behind on the floor. Some boards also count in their own currency — MOC points or certification points — rather than AMA PRA Category 1 credits, so a "point" and a "credit" aren't interchangeable.
Requirements by board
A snapshot of how several boards structure their continuing-certification credit requirement. These mirror the verified templates built into MedTally Pace — but boards change rules, so treat every row as a starting point to confirm against the board's own page.
| Board | Credit requirement | Window | Notable rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABR Radiology / medical physics |
75 AMA PRA Category 1 | Rolling 36 months | Continuous certification; SA-CME expectations apply. |
| ABS Surgery |
150 credits | Rolling 60 months | ≥50 must be self-assessment (a floor inside the total). |
| ABIM Internal medicine |
100 MOC points | Fixed 5-year block | Counts in MOC points, not AMA PRA credits; separate assessment requirement. |
| ABFM Family medicine |
200 CME credits | 5-year cycle | ≥100 Division I, plus a separate 60-point self-assessment / PI requirement. |
| ABMP Medical physics |
125 CE credits | 5-year cycle | ≥65 must be Category 1. |
Figures reflect each board's published continuing-certification credit requirement at time of writing and omit non-credit components (e.g. longitudinal assessment / exams). Verify against your board and your specific certificate.
Know if you're on pace — MedTally Pace
MedTally Pace tracks your CME/MOC against your board's actual rules — rolling windows, self-assessment floors, and fixed-block point cycles — and tells you whether you're ahead or behind, and exactly what to earn next. Snap a photo of a certificate to log it, and export an audit-ready PDF dossier with the certificate images embedded when a credentialing review asks.
Available first in the MedTally suite. MedTally Pace records credits and reminds you of deadlines — it does not provide medical advice or determine your certification status; every board rule is a verified starting point you confirm.
Common questions
What's the difference between CME and MOC?
CME (continuing medical education) is the credit you earn; MOC (Maintenance of Certification, now often "continuing certification") is the board program those credits feed, alongside assessment and other components.
Do all my CME credits count toward recertification?
Not necessarily — only those in the right category, earned inside your board's measurement window, and meeting any sub-requirement floor.
What is a rolling window?
A requirement measured over the trailing X months from today (e.g. 75 credits in the last 36 months), so older credits expire out of the count over time.
Are MOC points the same as CME credits?
No. Some boards (e.g. ABIM) count in their own MOC-point currency, which is not interchangeable with AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
How do I keep audit-ready proof?
Keep the certificate itself, not just a tally — a credentialing review typically wants the source documents, exportable as a dated dossier.
Last reviewed 2026. Board requirements change — verify with your certifying board.