Navigating Continuing Medical Education Requirements in Psychiatry
Maintaining board certification in psychiatry, particularly in child and adolescent psychiatry, necessitates ongoing professional development. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) has established a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program, now known as Continuing Certification (CC), to ensure that practicing psychiatrists remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field. This article outlines the key components of continuing medical education (CME) requirements for psychiatrists, focusing on the ABPN's guidelines and resources available to fulfill these requirements.
Understanding Continuing Certification (CC/MOC)
All ABPN board-certified psychiatrists are required to meet Continuing Certification (CC) requirements, formerly known as MOC. These requirements are designed to promote lifelong learning and ensure competence throughout a psychiatrist's career. The CC program consists of four main parts:
- Professionalism and Professional Standing
- Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment
- Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
- Improvement in Medical Practice (PIP)
Professionalism and Professional Standing
To demonstrate professional standing, all Diplomats must continuously hold an active, full, and unrestricted allopathic and/or osteopathic license to practice medicine. Maintaining an unrestricted license is a fundamental aspect of demonstrating ongoing competence and ethical conduct in the field.
Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment: CME Requirements
A core component of the CC program is lifelong learning, which is primarily fulfilled through Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities. As part of the 10-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program developed by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), child and adolescent psychiatrists must obtain continuing medical education (CME) credits to remain board certified. This lifelong learning component of MOC requires a total of 300 credit hours in the 10-year cycle, with the recommendation of 30 hours of CME credit a year. This requirement is phased-in over the next few years.
The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) is committed to providing members with lifelong learning and training opportunities through an array of Professional Development programs and activities. View a list of all AAAP’s continuing education activities.
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It's important to note that ABPN no longer accepts CME credit reporting for non-self-assessment and non-PIP activities.
Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
The ABPN assesses knowledge and skills through board examinations, which are required for both initial certification and recertification. Diplomates can now participate in the optional Article-Based Continuing Certification (ABCC) Pathway for all ABPN-administered primary and subspecialty certifications in lieu of taking the traditional 10-Year recertification examination. View the information about the new ABPN ABCC Pathway.
Improvement in Medical Practice (PIP)
Performance in Practice (PIP) is designed for clinically active physicians to promote practice improvement activities through either a chart review module or a feedback module. One PIP unit should be completed every three years. AAAP has developed a Cannabis Use Disorder PIP, Tobacco PIP, Alcohol Use Disorders PIP, and Motivational Interviewing PIP. AAAP also lists the Opioid Use Disorder PIP developed by PCSS, and the Stimulant Use Disorder PIP developed by ORN. Both the PCSS and ORN PIPs are free to all. Learn more
Resources for Continuing Medical Education
Several organizations offer CME activities and resources for psychiatrists.
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP): The AAAP is an accredited provider of continuing medical education, offering a wide range of activities to meet the lifelong learning needs of its members. In support of improving patient care, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. In 2019, AAAP also added accreditation from The American Academy of PAs (AAPA), American Psychological Association (APA) and Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB). The accreditation was awarded for six years, the maximum allowed by JAICE. In December 2024, AAAP received Joint Accreditation with Commendation, the highest level of Joint Accreditation currently offered. Jointly accredited providers are entitled to award Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits. This innovation promotes interprofessional continuing education (IPCE) that leads to improved healthcare delivery and better patient outcomes, a tenet AAAP is passionate about. AAAP’s CPD program and educational activities meet rigorous standards for education, evidence-based medicine and scientific quality and independence. AAAP’s CME certificate(s) and/or transcript can be used should you need to provide proof of CME credit earned. Physicians and health care professionals can maintain their licenses by obtaining credit through participation in a variety of AAAP activities.
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): The AACAP’s Lifelong Learning modules are great resources as they satisfy the lifelong learning and self-assessment components. Information on the CME requirements for MOC and AACAP’s modules is available on our site or call Elizabeth Hughes, Assistant Director of Education and Recertification, at 202.966.7300 ext.
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