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Board eligibility
A physician’s eligibility for AOA board certification begins upon completion of their specialty or subspecialty training program and ends on Dec. 31 of the following sixth year.
Board eligibility status will be automatically terminated in the following circumstances:
- After completion of the board eligibility timeframe.
- Upon denial of an appeal to extend the board eligibility timeframe for an individual.
- Upon award of certification.
The following eligibility requirements must be met for AOA board certification:
- You must be a graduate of a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine and have completed an AOA or ACGME-accredited training program OR be a graduate of a LCME-accredited medical school and have completed an ACGME-accredited training program.
- You must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory.
- You must adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics.
- You must follow the process as outlined by the board’s requirements and meet any specialty-specific requirements for board certification during the six-year board eligibility period.
- You must pass all required certification exams.
Post-board eligibility process
Candidates who do not achieve board certification by the conclusion of the six (6) year board eligibility timeframe must apply for examination to the AOBA to enter the post-board eligibility certification process within three (3) years of termination of the board eligibility status timeframe.
Upon acceptance by the Board, candidates must adhere to the process as outlined below:
- Candidates must follow the AOBA certification examination process as outlined on the website.
- Candidates must participate in the first available administration of each exam.
- Candidates will have four (4) attempts to pass each step of the examination process.
- Failure to apply for or participate in the next available examination is considered a forfeiture of one attempt.
- Candidates must participate in the next available examination if unsuccessful on an examination attempt.
Candidates who do not achieve board certification through the post board eligibility process will have no further opportunity to obtain AOA-board certification in the specialty or subspecialty.
Subspecialty certification eligibility
To be eligible for subspecialty certification through the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology in Critical Care Medicine, Pain Management or Pediatric Anesthesiology, a candidate must:
- Achieve primary certification through the AOBA.
- Successfully complete at least a one-year training program in Pain Management, Critical Care Medicine or Pediatric Anesthesiology. Training is not considered complete until all required documentation is approved by the AOA Council on Postdoctoral Training, American Osteopathic Association and American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology.
- Have practiced as a specialist in Pain Management, Critical Care Medicine or Pediatric Anesthesiology for a minimum of one year prior to applying for subspecialty certification.
Right to appeal
If a candidate feels that actions of the AOBA with regard to any part of the certification process constitute unequal application of the Bylaws or Policies and Procedures, unwarranted discrimination, prejudice, unfairness or improper conduct of the examination, he or she has the right to appeal to the board.
Appeals to the board can be made via email by submitting a written request along with any supporting documentary material necessary for proper review of the case. The appeal request must be emailed within seven days after completion of the exam.
The board will not consider appeals based on examination content, sufficiency or accuracy of answers to exam questions, scoring of the exam and/or determination of the minimum passing score.
Candidates will be advised by email within 30 days of final action of the board.
Compliance with federal regulations
The AOBA complies with all applicable federal and state regulations, including:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The AOBA 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.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): In compliance with the HIPAA Act of 1996 and any subsequent modifications, the AOBA 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 AOBA certification will be de-identified by the candidate prior to submission, such that the remaining information cannot be used to identify an individual patient.