ABIM is targeting a July 2026 launch of two new versions of the Medical Oncology Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA®): one that focuses on breast cancer and the other on hematologic neoplasms. These new focused assessments are the result of an evidence-based process through which ABIM collected extensive data from the medical oncology community and analyzed the results to determine which areas would be most beneficial to the majority of oncologists.
Medical Oncology FAQs
What is the difference between the general Medical Oncology LKA and the new focused assessments?
The new focused versions of the medical oncology assessments will be based upon the general Medical Oncology Blueprint but will feature a larger proportion of questions covering topics related to breast cancer and hematologic neoplasms, depending on the LKA you choose.
All focused assessments, including the new LKAs with a focus on breast cancer and hematologic neoplasms must have a 70% overlap with the general profile topic areas in order for ABIM to issue the same certificate and passing score in that discipline. There will be a greater proportion of remaining questions about breast cancer or hematologic neoplasms on the focused LKA compared to the general Medical Oncology LKA, but they will be at the same level of difficulty as this topic area outlined on the general blueprint.
This allows the assessment to differentiate itself enough from the general assessment to better meet the needs of physicians who primarily focus on breast cancer or hematologic neoplasms, while making sure it is not so distinct that it warrants a more specialized certificate. Anyone taking this new focused LKA will remain ABIM Board Certified in Medical Oncology.
You can review the new blueprints on the abim.org website when they become available in the fall of 2025.
If I choose one of the focused assessments, will my certification still be in Medical Oncology?
Yes, your certification will continue to be designated as “Medical Oncology” regardless of which version of the Medical Oncology LKA chosen.
Who is eligible to take the-focused assessments?
These new assessment options will be available to any diplomate maintaining certification in Medical Oncology. It can also be a pathway to meet an overdue assessment requirement for a lapsed Medical Oncology Certificate.
If you are due for an assessment in 2025, enroll in the general Medical Oncology LKA and respond to general questions until the focused assessment that you are interested in becomes available. ABIM will email you when enrollment opens for the new assessments.
- If you’re already enrolled in the general Medical Oncology LKA you can switch to the Breast Cancer or Hematologic Neoplasms LKA when they become available in 2026 any time before the close of enrollment (6/30/2026) and complete your current 5-year cycle. Note that this option for physicians to switch before the end of their current 5-year cycle is only available in the first year the new focused assessments are offered.
- If your certification has lapsed, you can use the Breast Cancer or Hematological Neoplasms LKA as a re-entry pathway to meet an overdue assessment requirement for re-certification. Please note that because a decision on performance is not made until the end of the fifth year of participation in the LKA cycle, physicians cannot use the LKA to meet their assessment requirement (i.e., reinstate certification in medical oncology) until they receive a passing score on the summative decision at the end of the fifth LKA year.
I am due for an assessment in 2025. Can I participate in one of the new focused assessments?
Yes. Enroll in the Medical Oncology LKA from 12/1/2024-6/30/2025 and respond to the general questions until the focused assessments become available. ABIM will notify you when the new assessments are available and will provide information on how you can switch if you’d like.
If you are thinking of participating in the LKA, be sure to enroll as soon as possible — the first set of questions will be delivered January 1 and expire on March 31. Any unopened questions will count against the 100 you are allowed over the 5-year LKA cycle.
If you take and pass the traditional, 10-year MOC exam in 2025, your next assessment will be due in 10 years (2035) and you will not be eligible to take the LKA until then.
I am already enrolled in the Medical Oncology LKA, can I switch to one of the focused Assessments when they are available?
- If you’ve already enrolled in the general Medical Oncology LKA you can switch to the focused version of your choice LKA in 2026 any time before the close of enrollment (12/1/2025 - 6/30/2026). Note: this option for physicians to switch before the end of their current 5-year cycle is only available in the first year the new focused assessments are offered.
- If you switch after the start of a quarter, you must complete that quarter before the change will take effect.
My Medical Oncology MOC assessment is due in 2026. Can I participate in one of the new focused versions of the Medical Oncology LKA?
Yes. If you are due for an assessment in 2026 and interested in participating in the new Breast Cancer or Hematologic Neoplasms LKA when it becomes available, you should enroll in the LKA assessment of your choice between 12/1/2025, and 6/30/2026. The target launch date for the new focused assessments is 7/1/2026.
Please note: If you are thinking of participating in the LKA, be sure to enroll as soon as possible — the first set of questions will be delivered January 1 and expire on March 31. Any unopened questions will count against the 100 you are allowed over the 5-year LKA cycle.
If enrolled in a Medical Oncology LKA, as long as you continue to meet the LKA Participation Requirement and all other MOC requirements, you will remain reported as Certified through 2031.We will send email reminders when enrollment opens and when the new assessment options are available.
Why is the target launch for the new focused assessment in July 2026?
In recognition of the significant interest the community has shown in focused assessments in medical oncology ABIM decided to provide the Breast Cancer and Hematologic Neoplasms assessments as soon as possible. July 2026 is the target, and ABIM will keep the community informed with updates along the way, including whether that date needs to change.
Developing increasingly relevant assessments that uphold the very highest standards of our credential takes time. In the next two years, ABIM will invest significant effort and resources into IT systems and the item development process, which involves recruiting many more experts in the field to write and revise items. These items will be reviewed by the Medical Oncology Approval Committees (which are composed entirely of practicing physician experts and experienced item-writers).