Self-Evaluation Overview

Self-evaluation is the component of Maintenance of Certification that provides an opportunity for you to maintain a commitment to lifelong learning. You complete the self-evaluation requirement by earning a total of 100 points from two categories:

• Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge — open-book modules testing clinical and practical knowledge in a particular field.
• Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance — modules that focus on improving your practice, including the ABIM PIMs Practice Improvement Modules^sm.

• Self-Evaluation Point Requirements
• Important Reminders about Self-Evaluation
• Copyright and Examination Non-Disclosure Policy

Self-Evaluation Point Requirements

To maintain your certificate, you need to earn a total of 100 self-evaluation points.

If you are renewing one certificate:

• Complete self-evaluation modules to earn 100 points:
  • 20 points in Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge
  • 20 points in Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance
  • 60 points from either Self-Evaluation of Medical Knowledge, Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance, or a combination of both

If you are renewing more than one certificate (e.g., Internal Medicine and one subspecialty):

• You can apply the 100 points you have earned – as outlined above – to both certificates you are renewing, provided that the 100 points are still valid at the time your second certificate expires. (Once your points are completed, they are valid for 10 years.)
• You will need to take and pass the exams for each certificate.

Example of How You Can Earn Your 100 Points of Self-Evaluation

Important Reminders about Self-Evaluation

• These medical knowledge and practice performance self-evaluation categories correspond to the "Maintenance of Certification" framework adopted by all 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
• Self-Evaluation modules are Web-based and can be completed individually or in groups.
• You may also earn CME credit for completing these modules.
• The self-evaluation process is not linked directly to any prescribed form of education; ABIM does not prepare a syllabus. All self-evaluation modules are HIPAA compliant.

Copyright and Examination Non-Disclosure Policy

All ABIM materials are protected by the federal Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101, et seq. Access to all such materials, as further detailed below, is strictly conditioned upon agreement to abide by ABIM’s rights under the Copyright Act and to maintain examination confidentiality.

ABIM examinations are confidential, in addition to being protected by federal copyright and trade secret laws. Candidates and diplomates who undertake examinations agree that they will not copy, reproduce, adapt, disclose, or transmit examinations, in whole or in part, by any means now known or hereafter invented. They further agree that they will not reconstruct examination content from memory, by dictation, or by any other means or otherwise discuss examination content with others. Candidates and diplomates further acknowledge that disclosure or any other use of examination content may expose them to criminal as well as civil liability, and may also result in sanctions by ABIM.

With respect to ABIM's Maintenance of Certification (MOC) products, including without limitation its Self-Evaluation Process Medical Knowledge Modules and Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs), candidates are encouraged to discuss these materials with their colleagues as they develop their answers or other responses as required by the Modules. They agree, however, that, as with all ABIM materials, they will not copy, reproduce or make any adaptations of such materials in any manner; and will not assist someone else in the infringement or misuse of these or any other ABIM-copyrighted works.