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International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Maintenance of Certification Guidelines (MOC)

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Maintenance of credentials is critical for all health care delivery practitioners, particularly those who have achieved a specialty certification level and recognition. Specialty-level practice must be continually upgraded and improved to remain at the forefront of the advancements in all aspects of healthcare delivery.

When the “chiropractic orthopedics” specialty was recognized in the late 1950s, it was initially a lifelong certificate in recognition of academic and clinical achievement. The educational and clinical experience evolved, and a specialty board, The American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ABCO), was developed. The entire educational process, requirements, and testing procedures were continually upgraded, improved, and brought into compliance with the accreditation and certification entities of the time. The specialty is now recognized as one of the leaders in certification processes, test development and delivery, and accreditation of providers and instructors, as well as leading the way for maintaining the credential concept.

In 2003, the examination process and development of the specialty were assigned to The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACO). By 2015, a diplomate doctor obtaining and maintaining credentials (MOC) was introduced with specific requirements. Both content and timing were attached to the MOC. One of the purposes of MOC was to demonstrate to the public and other stakeholders that the doctor is continuing advanced learning and acquisition of skills at expert levels as healthcare information rapidly changes.

In 2018, the name of The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists was changed to more accurately reflect the body and scope of the specialist. The name was changed to The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM). The change was made to encompass various other chiropractic, medical, and related healthcare delivery specialties now included in the IANM MOC process. Before January 1, 2022, all current diplomates of ABCO, ACO, IANM, and other entities were granted initial membership in IANM with the invitation to meet the MOC requirements as we advance. After that, all credentials must be maintained through this process to remain certified by this board. Credentials must be maintained annually and certified as such by this board for primary source verification to occur when requested.

Requests for primary source verification of credentials are received regularly by The IANM from

licensing boards and other regulatory bodies, government agencies, third-party payers, legal administrative jurisdictions, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning, military departments, other professional health care delivery providers and patients.

How the process works

The website will track your renewal status. To view your status and next renewal date, or pay your renewal fees, click here or go to “Diplomate Login” in the site’s header. You can reset your password by clicking the “Lost your Password” link on that login page.

Once payment is made, MOC hours can be uploaded to your account area. Click on the “Renewal Documentation” tab after you login to upload your documentation of hours. The IANM will audit up to 10% of these submissions annually, which fulfills our requirements as a certifying board. Possibly, your required MOC class hours may be acceptable for license renewal. However, you are responsible for verifying acceptance by the state board that governs your practice site.

Where can I obtain MOC-approved hours?

  • Board-certified chiropractic specialists in recognized chiropractic specialties must teach all classes who have maintained their Diplomate status. If you have a question about
    classes you are about to take, you should contact the IANM at admin@ianmmedcine.com to verify the hours. Classes should be sponsored by any CCE-accredited or international institution-accredited chiropractic college or university offering a postgraduate program.
  • If you have questions about whether the classes would be acceptable for the Diplomate or board certification track, you must contact the University of Bridgeport Postgraduate Department to see if the hours qualify the doctor to sit the IANM board certification examination.
  • A reduced rate of $200 for 12 hours is available from the University of Bridgeport for 12 hours of MOC.
  • Online learning is acceptable.
  • The following organizations have complied with the IANM requirements and follow the necessary protocol of board-certified instructors by verifying yearly. Non-board-certified hours are not applicable towards the 12 per year.
    • American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACCO)
    • Cox educational program
    • Council on Forensic Sciences (CFS)
    • American College of Chiropractic Consultants (ACCC)
    • PostGradDC
  • All current NMSM/orthopedic diplomate classes, both online and on-site, are acceptable.
  • Postgraduate NMSM/orthopedic instructors who teach a minimum of 4 hours per year within an approved course are eligible for 12 MOC credits.
  • Professors or instructors who teach 6 hours per year within an approved CCE college or university per academic year within a Doctor of Chiropractic (DCP) program are eligible for 12 MOC credits.
  • Any Diplomate publishing a case study or research article in a peer-reviewed journal receives 12 hours of MOC.
  • Writing 20 Part I MCQs accepted by the examination board for use. These questions must pass the psychometric screening process. The writer will receive 12 hours of MOC.
  • Writing one Part II Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that passes the psychometric screening process will receive 12 hours of MOC.
  • Retired doctors are not required to maintain their credentials.
  • If you have any questions about eligible hours, please contact the IANM at 844-532-2378

Conclusions

Failure to maintain your Diplomate certificate will result in removing your name and practice demographics from the IANM Doctors Directory on the website. Additionally, those obtaining their Diplomate after 01/01/2022 may have the Diplomate certificate suspended or forfeited.

The IANM is the Primary Source Verification (PSV) for the orthopedic/NMSM Diplomate. Therefore, the IANM cannot verify the Diplomate certificate status for inquiring organizations if we do not have your current information.

The MOC requirements will be reviewed on an annual basis. They will be updated by November 1st each year.

11/01/2024