Component 3

Overview

The PAAI Longitudinal Assessment has replaced the traditional high stakes written recertification exam required for Component 3 of OCC.

Launch of Longitudinal Assessment

OCC Recertification for Pediatric and Adult Allergy and Immunology has transitioned to a longitudinal assessment model which has replaced the traditional high stakes Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) recertification written exam required for Component 3 of OCC. Longitudinal assessment leverages technology to facilitate continuous learning through shorter assessments relevant to your specialty training and career, delivered via a convenient online learning platform.

PAAI Longitudinal Assessment

The PAAI Longitudinal Assessment has replaced the traditional high stakes written recertification exam required for Component 3 of OCC. Longitudinal assessment enhances convenience and flexibility by leveraging technology to facilitate continuous learning through shorter assessments relevant to your specialty training and career, delivered via a remote online learning platform.

Annual participation is required to receive a new reverification date for your board certification. The program requires 16 items to be answered during each calendar year before Sept. 30. Diplomates must achieve a pass rate of 70%. The assessment is developed through the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and Pediatric and Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology subject matter experts. The PAAI CCEC longitudinal assessment is administered via the AOA Online Learning platform. The platform is easily accessible from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Visit our longitudinal assessment section to learn more about the assessment and when you should plan to begin participation.

Registration

Please follow the guidelines below to determine when you should register for longitudinal assessment

• Diplomates who hold an active 10-year certification in Allergy and Immunology
  You are required to begin longitudinal assessment during the expiration year of your 10-year certificate. Example: If you were certified on or after Jan. 1, 2016, and your certificate expires Dec. 31, 2026, you must submit your longitudinal assessment application in 2025. The program opens in January 2026, and the assessment must be completed by September 2026 prior to your expiration date. After passing the assessment, you will be submitted for recertification in November 2026 for the renewal date of January 2027. The program must be followed each year to obtain an updated reverification date for your certificate.
• Newly boarded diplomates
  You are not required to begin participation in longitudinal assessment for one full calendar year after becoming board certified. Example: If you received initial certification in Spring 2025, you must register for longitudinal assessment in Fall 2026 and begin participation in 2027.

Some helpful information on the program: Questions will be untimed and administered via the AOA Online Learning platform. There are 16 items provided each year. You are permitted to use resources to answer the questions.

Resources are listed on the Allergy and Immunology website under References. View exam references.

Remediation

After completing the assessment, you may review any incorrect items, read through the rationale and view the correct answer. When the first attempt is completed and if there is a failure, then you may participate in a reattempt of those items that were incorrect.

If scores are above 70%, there is no option to raise the score and is considered a “Pass.”

Assessment Dates

The assessment will open on Jan. 30, and will close on Sept. 30. Any re-attempts will open seven days after the initial attempt. Re-attempts will only be available to those who score under 70%.

Longitudinal Assessment Fees

Registration is required each year of the longitudinal assessment year. A $250 fee will be assessed at the time of registration.

• Assessment fee: $250
• Late fee: $50
• Refund policy applies

Exam Content Outline

The Pediatric and Adult Allergy and Immunology OCC Exam will cover the below Table of Specifications. These percentages represent the minimum amount of content from each of the stated areas.

*These percentages represent the minimum amount of content from each of the stated areas. Many items may address multiple areas listed above while other items will also assess other knowledge bases, such as general surgery.

Exam Number of Questions and Timing

Questions will be untimed and administered via the online AOA Online Learning platform. There are 16 items provided each year. You are permitted to use resources to answer the questions. After completing the assessment, you may review any incorrect items, read through the rationale and view the correct answer. When the first attempt period closes, the correct answers will no longer be viewable. References are only viewable during the open period. During the re-attempt period, you will be able to redo any questions answered incorrectly to raise your score.

Incorrect Answers

You will be given a second attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered questions from the previous segment during the re-attempt period of each segment. The re-attempt period is only available if you participated in the initial segment.

Segment Timeframes

• Segment 1: Jan. 11 – June 15 (first set of eight items)
  Segment 1 Re-Attempt Period: June 16 – June 30 (re-attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered items from Segment 1)
• Segment 2: July 1 – Oct. 15 (second set of eight items)
  Segment 2 Re-Attempt Period: Oct. 16 – Oct. 31 (re-attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered items from Segment 2)

Exam Results

Examination results will be mailed approximately 8-10 weeks after the exam administration. Exam results will not be given over the phone, by fax or email.

Compliance with Federal Regulations

The Conjoint Committee supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for candidates who meet ADA eligibility. The Committee will make a reasonable effort to provide qualified board candidates who have documented disabilities the necessary auxiliary aids and services that do not fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge the board assessment process is intended to test or result in an undue burden.

The Committee supports the intent of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for all patients or patient records that may be used as part of the board certification process.