Maintenance of Certification Overview

All ACVP Diplomates boarded in 2016 or thereafter must meet minimum Maintenance of Certification (MOC) standards over a 10-year period (in accordance with American Board of Veterinary Specialties guidelines). Diplomates certified prior to 2016 are not required to document professional activity to maintain certification but are encouraged to use the MOC portal for their personal tracking.

ACVP MOC resources and the MOC portal are structured to enable Diplomates to self-report and manage professional activities and professional proficiency. Diplomates log credits to document activities that help them maintain their skills and expertise. ACVP’s standards for maintenance include continuing education, scholarly activity in biomedical fields, maintenance of professional proficiency, and involvement in relevant professional societies. MOC is designed to protect the ideology that a Diplomate of ACVP can provide creativity and state-of-the-art support for advancements in medicine and research. Diplomates are reminded to comply with the ACVP Bylaws and AVMA Ethical Guidelines when reporting MOC activity. 

The MOC Policy Manual details all requirements.  

The MOC Credit Table lists credits and documentation requirements by category of activity and includes linked lists of specific pre-approved and not accepted activities.  

---

Reporting Deadlines and Credit Requests

MOC credits must be claimed via the MOC portal by September 30 of each year, for activities undertaken in the previous 12 months (October 1 to September 30). 

A Credit Activity Request Form can be used for any continuing education activities not currently listed as pre-approved for MOC. The MOC Committee reviews credit requests quarterly and emails the submitter the committee’s determination. Any approved credit must be reported by the Diplomate, via the MOC portal, including uploading a copy of the approval email by the annual September 30 reporting deadline. Please note: While many educational activities help Diplomates keep up on general practice, currently MOC credit is given only for pathology-specific education.

Diplomates are encouraged to submit CARFs early in the year to allow time for review. Third quarter CARFs must be submitted by September 1 to allow time for committee review and response in time to be claimed in the current year. CARFs for continuing education activities completed between September 1 and September 30, that are not on the pre-approved list, can be submitted in the next reporting year except in the final year (year 10) of certification.

9/1/25 – CARF submission deadline for continuing education activities, not on the pre-approved list, completed 9/1/24-8/31/25 

9/30/25 – Reporting deadline for activities completed 10/1/24-9/30/25

---

MOC Requirements

• 100 total credits in 10-year cycle
• Credits reported in at least 6 of those 10 years
• Credits in at least two of four categories, with a minimum of 30 credits in continuing education
  • Continuing education from activity noted on the pre-approved list or with approval obtained via submission of a Credit Activity Request Form
  • Scholarly activity in biomedical field
  • Maintenance of professional proficiency (work you do as a pathologist)
  • Professional organization activity which specifically contributes to maintenance of proficiency

---

Portal and Recertification Fees

Portal Access
Access to the MOC reporting portal is included with the payment of annual membership fees for active Diplomate members.

Diplomates who do not maintain ACVP membership must create a non-member MOC account ($125 annual fee) to track MOC credits through the portal. To open a non-member MOC account at the time of membership renewal, log into your membership profile and select “MOC non-member” under Invoicing, Payments & History.

For portal assistance or to switch to a non-member account, or from a non-member account back to full Diplomate membership, contact ACVP.

Recertification
All Active member ACVP Diplomates will incur a one-time $100 certification renewal fee at the end of each 10-year certification period. Diplomates who are not active members will incur a $125 certification renewal fee at the end of each 10-year certification period.

---

Resources

Policy Manual
MOC FAQs
MOC Credit Table
Pre-approved and Not Approved Activities for MOC Credit
MOC Credit Activity Request Form
MOC Credit Reporting Portal

---

MOC Informational Webinars