Achieve expertise in your practice by earning board certification through one of the AOA’s 16 specialty certifying boards.
Find Your SpecialtyBecoming AOA Board Certified Certifying Boards
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Board-eligible status begins upon completion of your training program and terminates Dec. 31 of the sixth year after you complete training.
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You must meet all application and examination requirements defined for primary or subspecialty certification through your specialty certifying board.
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Upon successful completion of all required exam components, you will receive notification from the AOA once certification has been approved.
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Demonstrate your commitment to high quality patient care and excellence in your specialty throughout your entire career with OCC.
Requirements for Certification
1. Medical School & Residency
To be eligible for AOA Board Certification, you must have graduated from one of the following:
- DOs: A COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine.
- MDs: A LCME-accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada; or a medical school outside the U.S., provided you meet one of the following additional requirements:
- Hold a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment.
- Have completed a fifth pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.
- DOs: Obtain "training complete" status from an ACGME/AOA-accredited approved residency training program.
- DOs and MDs: Obtain “training complete” status from an ACGME osteopathic recognized residency program with documentation that you completed an “osteopathic focused” track.
- DOs and MDs: Obtain “training complete” status from an ACGME-accredited osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency training program.
2. Licensure
You must hold an active license to practice in a state or territory. If you have a restricted license, you may petition a specialty certifying board in order to enter the certification or recertification process based upon a review of the restriction.
3. Ethics
You must follow the AOA Code of Ethics.
4. Specialty Requirements
You must meet any specialty-specific requirements for board certification, which may include training and/or documented professional experience.
5. Exams
You must pass all required certification examinations, which may include written, oral and/or clinical practice components.