FAQs for Physicians
Contact the event’s sponsoring organization to confirm whether it has been approved for Section 1. You can also consult the RCPSC listing of approved Section 1 events online.
Programs that have been approved for Section 1 of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program by the Canadian Psychiatric Association are identified by the following statement:
This event is an accredited group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by the Canadian Psychiatric Association.
Programs that have been codeveloped by the CPA are further identified by an additional statement on the program materials.
All accredited self-assessment programs are listed on the Royal College’s website.
Yes, if the activity is accredited by a recognized national body, such as an accredited medical organization, academic institution, college, or academy.
Online CPD activities sponsored by an organization outside Canada must be approved by a Royal College-accredited provider of the MOC program.
The CPA will make every effort to review applications in a timely fashion, but cannot guarantee that applications received fewer than six weeks in advance will be approved in time.
Consider these options:
- Online CPD
- Accredited self-assessment programs (three credits per hour under Section 3)
- Section 2 self-learning activities such as personal learning projects, journal reading or podcasts
- Practice or chart audits (three credits per hour under Section 3)
All of these activities may be completed at your home or office.
No, you need to keep track of your own CPD hours by using MAINPORT. Simply log in to the site and enter the correct number of hours in the appropriate section. After the hours are submitted, they are automatically converted into credits so you can track your progress.
During each five-year cycle, you must earn at least 400 credits that meet approval standards. At least 40 hours of CPD must be completed in each year of each cycle, and as of January 1, 2014 participants must complete a minimum of 25 credits in each section of the MOC program during their new (or next) MOC cycle starting on or after January 1, 2014. The deadline for submitting your hours to the RCPSC is January 31 of the following year. For more information, visit the Royal College website.
The documentation varies by program section. For a complete list of what you need to keep, please consult the MOC Program Guide. You can also contact the Royal College’s Office of Professional Affairs directly at (800) 461-9598 or send an e-mail.
