Subspecialty Certification Eligibility
To be eligible for Addiction Medicine Subspecialty Certification, a candidate must
- Hold an active primary certification in an AOA or ABMS specialty.
- Complete an AOA or ACGME accredited fellowship in addiction medicine.
- Hold an active license to practice in a state or territory
- Adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics
Board eligibility status will be automatically terminated in the following circumstances:
- After completion of the board eligibility timeframe. ( 31st of the sixth year after fellowship completion)
- Upon denial of an appeal to extend the board eligibility timeframe for an individual
- Upon award of certification
AOCAM written verification of board eligibility requires your submission of all application documents and fees. Apply now
Clinical Practice Pathway
To be eligible for Addiction Medicine Subspecialty Certification through the Clinical Practice Pathway, a candidate must
- Hold an active primary certification in an AOA or ABMS specialty.
- Apply for the next administration of the initial certification exam in addiction medicine.
- As part of the application, candidates are required to upload one of the following documents:
- An attestation form attesting that a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice time within a two-year period were engaged in the practice of Addiction Medicine. It is not required that the minimum of two years of practice time be continuous; however, all practice time must have occurred in the five-year period prior to the application start date for that year. All hours must be obtained post-residency. Please view the attestation form here.
- “Practice” consists of most professional activities with significant responsibilities in Addiction Medicine. Addiction Medicine practice outside of direct patient care, such as published research, teaching activities within an accredited medical school or ACGME residency, and live or recorded live CME activities shall count toward up to 50% of the required 1,000 hours of practice. The remaining 50% must be direct patient care. Attestation will include a signature from the candidate’s supervisor or peer, verifying that the attested hours, role, scope and environmental parameters are true; OR
- An active ABAM certificate. Active certification from ABAM will waive the need for the 1000 hour attestation; OR
- Certificate of completion of an ACAAM (formerly TAMF and ABAM) fellowship within the five years prior to the application start date for that year. ACAAM fellowship completion within the approved timeframe will waive the need for the 1000 hour attestation.
- An attestation form attesting that a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice time within a two-year period were engaged in the practice of Addiction Medicine. It is not required that the minimum of two years of practice time be continuous; however, all practice time must have occurred in the five-year period prior to the application start date for that year. All hours must be obtained post-residency. Please view the attestation form here.
AOCAM written verification of board eligibility requires your submission of all application documents and fees. Apply now
Cancellation Policy
| Cancellation Policy | |
|---|---|
| TIme before exam | PERCENT Refundable |
| 31 days or more before to the testing window |
|
| 0-30 days before the exam | No refunds will be issued |
| No show/failure to appear |
|
Right to Appeal
If a candidate feels that the actions of the American Osteopathic Conjoint Addiction Medicine Examination Committee (AOCAMEC) with regard to any part of the examination constitute unequal application of the regulations and requirements or standards, unwarranted discrimination, prejudice, unfairness or improper conduct of the examination, he or she has the right to appeal to this conjoint committee.
If an appeal is denied by the AOCAMEC, the candidate retains the right to appeal to the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) and AOA Board of Trustees.
Compliance With Federal Regulations
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The conjoint committee complies with requirements prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation, as well as regulations for Title II and Title III (and all subsequent regulations) as printed in the federal register. All candidates must submit their requests at the time of application and this must be done prior to 45 days from the exam date.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): In compliance with the HIPAA Act of 1996 and any subsequent modifications, the conjoint committee ensures that individuals’ health information is properly protected, while allowing the flow of health information to provide and promote high quality health care. All medical records submitted for review by candidates for AOBNP certification will be de-identified by the candidate prior to submission, such that the remaining information cannot be used to identify an individual patient.
Code of Conduct: Irregular or Improper Behavior
Because of the AOA’s commitment to the high level of confidentiality and integrity of our certifying board examinations, board examination results and questions of improper conduct are reviewed by board members. Improper behavior, including but not limited to, giving, receiving, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized information or assistance, looking at or utilizing the test material of others, taking notes, failing to comply with computer site staff instructions, talking with other candidates or other disruptive behavior will be considered cause for review of conduct and a possible violation of the certification process. Candidates must not discuss the examination while the session is in progress. Candidates must not disclose the contents of the examination to others or reproduce the examination or any portion of the examination in any manner, including without limitation reconstruction through memorization, electronic means, or dictation. All AOA examinations are copyrighted and protected by federal law. The above policies apply to all examinations administered by any AOA specialty certifying board.
It is a criminal offense to copy or reproduce any portion of the certifying examinations. Each board will monitor examinations for irregular or improper behavior by direct observation, statistical analysis, and by other means. Irregular or improper behavior will constitute grounds for invalidation of the candidate’s examination and each board reserves the right to invoke other sanctions, such as exclusion from future examinations, revocation of board certification, and reporting misconduct to censing bodies or law enforcement agencies.