Frequently Asked Questions

• Why did ABPMR transition to this new assessment method?

  We heard loud and clear from ABPMR diplomates that the (now retired) MOC Examination was not relevant and did not add value to certification. But because the ABPMR’s mission is to serve and protect the public, the credential must include a periodic assessment of knowledge and skills—earning CME alone isn’t enough to offer an assurance of quality to the public.

  As the board explored options for increasing the value of post-certification assessment, longitudinal assessment quickly became the top contender: Not only is it backed by adult learning research, but it’s also convenient, customizable, and promotes learning over the long term. The ABPMR’s successful pilot confirmed these points, and the ABPMR Board of Directors enthusiastically embraced longitudinal assessment as a valuable assessment tool that will also help diplomates improve over time.

• What is longitudinal assessment?

  Longitudinal assessment is a method that has been shown to enhance memory retention and facilitate new learning. The user completes shorter, more frequent assessments with spaced repetition (seeing similar questions repeated periodically). It can be likened to quizzing, learning your knowledge gaps, then re-quizzing a little while later to see if you've retained or learned the information.

  Research on this method has shown that the act of quizzing and re-quizzing over time actually improves learning and memory retention better than other study methods, such as reading a text or studying flashcards.

• How is longitudinal assessment different from an examination?

  It's different in some fundamental ways, representing a shift in how we're approaching post-certification assessment:

  • Longitudinal assessment transforms post-certification assessment from a periodic secure test of current knowledge to an assessment for learning over time. Now, the ABPMR not only sets the standard for knowledge in the specialty, but also provides the tools to facilitate learning and ongoing improvement.
  • Any questions in LA-PM&R that are answered incorrectly are repeated at specific intervals—a method that has been shown to enhance memory retention. The assessment doesn’t just test what you know; it helps you identify what you don’t know so you can make a plan to improve.
  • Tools within LA-PM&R provide valuable personalized insight for participants. As knowledge gaps become apparent in question history, eventually targeted resources (CME and other suggestions) will provide additional learning opportunities.

• Why is there a three-minute time limit on each question?

  The purpose of limiting the time a user has to answer the question is that part of the ABPMR design for longitudinal assessment is to assess and improve ‘walking-around knowledge,’ i.e., those PM&R concepts that should be part of any board-certified physiatrist’s repertoire. Our board of directors felt it was important to test current knowledge, not what a physician could look up if given five minutes instead of three. Additionally, the point of longitudinal assessment is to show knowledge gaps and give tools for improvement; we anticipate most diplomates will see an improvement of their performance over time as the system helps them learn.

• How will this affect me?

  LA-PM&R is open to all diplomates, and we encourage everyone to participate for learning and SA-CME benefits. As part of continuing certification requirements, LA-PM&R is rolling out to all diplomates over a few years; your requirements depend on your current certificate’s end date. Check out our “What About Me?” interactive tool for more details.

• How does LA-PM&R fit into my certification requirements?

  LA-PM&R replaced the now-retired MOC Examination as the assessment requirement for continuing certification.

  In addition to the assessment requirement, LA-PM&R also counts toward the lifelong learning requirement—for every quarter of full participation (answering all questions), users are awarded three (3) self-assessment CME (SA-CME) credits, or up to 12 per year. This means that this one activity now counts for multiple continuing certification requirements, which is part of an ongoing effort to integrate and streamline the Continuing Certification Program.

• Is the MOC Examination still available?

  No, the MOC Examination was retired in 2020. Starting in 2021, diplomates must use LA-PM&R for the assessment requirement of continuing certification.

  Those with expired certificates or those who do not participate in LA-PM&R may take the PM&R Re-Entry Examination to meet the assessment requirement, which is based on the blueprint and difficulty level of the Part I Examination for initial certification in PM&R. The Re-Entry Examination is available annually.

• What if I’ve already passed the MOC Examination for my current certification requirements? Do I still have to participate in LA-PM&R?

  No. If you passed the MOC Examination for your current set of requirements, your required LA-PM&R participation is 0%. However, we still encourage all diplomates to participate for the learning and SA-CME benefits.

• It’s less than five years before my certification expires. What if I don’t fulfill the participation requirement before the certificate expiration date?

  If you don’t fulfill your LA-PM&R participation requirement (see details here) or pass the MOC Examination before your current certificate expiration date, OR if you don’t complete all other continuing certification requirements, your certification will expire and you will no longer be board certified.

  If your certification expires, you can regain it via one of two re-entry pathways. Read more on re-entry.

• It’s more than five years before my certification expires. What if I don’t participate in my LA-PM&R assessment cycle in the last five years of my certification?

  First, the ABPMR is honoring the terms of all current 10-year certificates, so even if you do nothing, you will retain your board-certified status until your certificate expiration date.

  If you don’t participate in LA-PM&R during your assessment phase, you will not meet the performance standard and will not fulfill the assessment portion of your CC requirements, resulting in a loss of certification after your current certificate expires. In addition, non-participation will result in an CC participation status change of Certified, Not Meeting Requirements.

• What if I do not meet the LA-PM&R performance standard?

  As explained above under ‘Re-Entry Pathways,’ any diplomate not meeting the LA-PM&R performance standard (don’t worry, you’ll know far in advance if this is the case) will be able to regain certification by undergoing another five-year LA-PM&R assessment cycle (while expired) or by passing the Re-Entry Examination, which is based on the blueprint and difficulty level of the Part I Examination.

  Based on the experience of other boards, the ABPMR anticipates that most cases of not meeting the LA-PM&R assessment standard will be the result of non-compliance, not performance issues. However, be assured that we will give you performance feedback and suggestions for learning and remediation along the way.

• Will longitudinal assessment be offered for subspecialties?

  Currently two subspecialties - Pain Medicine and Brain Injury Medicine - have transitioned to longitudinal assessment. Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine and Spinal Cord Injury Medicine are planned to transition to LA in 2025. More details will be available to diplomates in the coming months.

• Can diplomates with non-time-limited certificated participate in LA-PM&R?

  Yes! Evidence shows that longitudinal assessment has benefits for all physicians, and we strongly encourage all diplomates to participate regardless of continuing certification status. To participate, enroll via your abpmr.org account; you’ll just need to pay the $350 annual fee for every year of participation.