Table 1.

What Has Really Changed?

Former Recertification RequirementsMaintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP) Requirements
I. Diplomate must maintain a valid and unrestricted licenseI. Unchanged
II. Life-long learning

  1. 300 hours of continuing medical education (CME)
 Diplomate constantly searches for seminars that satisfy annual CME requirements

II. Life-long learning

  1. (Unchanged) 300 hours CME required. ABFP Web site assists in identifying sources to satisfy these requirements

  2. (New) Self-assessment module (SAM) taken by computer. One completed SAM per year required (total of 6 per 7-year cycle). Up to 15 hours of approved CME credit per SAM

III. Cognitive examination

  1. Paper-and-pencil test

  2. Administered at a limited number of sites and dates

III. Cognitive expertise

  1. Examination format and content (unchanged), but delivery is by computer (new)

  2. (New) Now offered on more dates (11) and at more test sites (202)

  3. Examination taken on computer

IV. Computer Office Record Review (CORR)

  1. Once per 7-year cycle

IV. Evaluation of Performance in Practice Module (PPM)

  1. Similar to CORR (once per 7-year cycle) (Not exactly the same but modified and improved. PPM replaces CORR in 2005)