Every five years, ACVO Diplomates boarded in 2015 or later must earn a minimum of 300 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits. Diplomates boarded before 2015 are encouraged to participate voluntarily.

Check your next MOC cycle: View the list of all boarded veterinary ophthalmologists.

• No application fee. There is no cost to submit a Mandatory or Voluntary MOC application.

• One application window. Mandatory and Voluntary applications are submitted and reviewed during the same annual window: November 1–December 31, 2026.

• New online application. Applications are submitted through a new online system within your diplomate portal. Applicants will confirm their licensure or provide alternate documentation, attest that they have earned at least 300 MOC credits, acknowledge the possibility of an audit, and sign electronically.

• Simplified credit tracker. The Excel self-assessment worksheet has been condensed to one page. Complete only the gray cells, and credits will calculate automatically. This worksheet is for your records and is not submitted with your application.

• Updated Diplomate portal. Upcoming portal updates will link to the application, display your year boarded, applicant type, first, last, and next MOC cycle years, and MOC status.

• Digital certificates. MOC certificates will be delivered electronically by email.
  

Before You Apply

1.    Review the instructions. MOC Application Instructions (PDF) This resource also contains important information regarding the application and audit process as well as earning MOC credit for On-Demand and Virtual ACVO attendance.

2.   Download the current self-assessment worksheet. Use the worksheet and complete the gray cells to calculate your credits. Do not submit the worksheet.

Important Reminders

• Earn at least 300 credits. Credits must be earned within your applicable five-year MOC cycle. Once you reach 300 credits, you do not need to report additional activities.

• First-cycle applicants boarded in 2021. Eligible activities from September through December of your year of board certification may be included, including ACVO conference participation during that period.

• Audit. Up to 10% of applications are randomly audited. Retain CE certificates, publication records, lecture documentation, committee letters, and other supporting records.

• No individual deadline reminders will be sent. Please mark your calendar and monitor the ABVO website for updates.

• Late applications are not accepted, except when a documented emergency qualifies for an extension under the policy described below.

• The self-assessment worksheet is not submitted. Use it to verify that you have met the minimum credit requirement before completing the online application.

Mandatory MOC Applications

Who Must Apply?

Mandatory MOC applies to Diplomates boarded in 2015 or later. For the 2026 application cycle, the applicants due to complete MOC are those boarded in 2016 and 2021.

All mandatory MOC applications (diplomates that were boarded in 2016 and 2021) are due to the ACVO office by the ABVO/MOC online application submission form, found at the links below on this page, by 11:59pm (MST) December 31st, 2026. All of these applications will be reviewed by the MOC committee and graded and reported to the ABVO board by midnight MST, February 28th, 2027.The ABVO has until March 31st, 2027, MST to report either pass or fail of maintenance of certification to all mandatory applicants for the December 31st cycle. Notification and digital certificates will be issued to the email address provided in the application. Please check your spam and clutter after this date.

Any failed mandatory applicants may reapply for Maintenance of Certification by 11:59pm (MST) June 30th, 2027. All applications will be reviewed by the MOC committee and graded and reported to the ABVO board by August 31, 2027, by midnight MST. The ABVO has until September 30th, 2027, MST to report either pass or fail of maintenance of certification to all FAILED mandatory applications for the June 30th cycle. Notification will be issued to the email address provided in the application.

All Mandatory MOC candidates maintain diplomate status unless a letter is issued from the ABVO, stating that the applicant failed to maintain certification of diplomate status. If a letter is needed to affirm good standing, this may be requested from the ABVO office.

A reprieve of 60-90 days may be granted for mandatory applicants due to a documented emergency that is received and confirmed with a reply within 30 days of the applications deadline. All communications must be made through abvo_moc@acvo.org, and may be copied to the office@acvo.org if desired. No other form or routing of communication will be accepted.

There is no fee to submit a Mandatory MOC application.

Voluntary MOC Applications

Who May Apply?

Voluntary MOC is available to Diplomates boarded before 2015. Applications are open to first-time voluntary applicants and Diplomates whose most recent MOC submission was in 2021.

Application Deadline

Submit the online application by 11:59 p.m. MST on December 31, 2026.

Voluntary applicants are not tied to a specific cycle based on their original board-certification year. However, applications must still be submitted during the designated application window on a five-year cycle basis.

There is no fee to submit a Voluntary MOC application.

Failure to Maintain Certification

Diplomates boarded in 2015 or later who fail to meet MOC requirements risk losing their DACVO board-certification status and all associated rights and privileges.

Please refer to the ABVO Policy & Procedures, Section 6.00, for complete details.

Questions? Contact the MOC Committee at abvo_moc@acvo.org.