Component 3

Overview

Component 3 of the OCC process is intended to assess the knowledge, core competencies and skills of AOBD diplomates in the field of Dermatology and their subspecialties.

Longitudinal assessment leverages technology to facilitate continuous learning through shorter assessments relevant to your specialty and career. Longitudinal assessment must be registered for and completed on an annual basis until a physician chooses not to maintain their certification

Introduction

Through participation in Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC), AOA board-certified physicians maintain necessary skills, explore advancements in medicine and demonstrate expertise in their specialty. OCC Component 3 requires physicians certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD) to pass one or more psychometrically valid and proctored examinations focused on assessing medical knowledge and core competencies.

In 2021, the AOBD announced the replacement of the traditional high-stakes recertification exam previously required every 10 years with a longitudinal assessment model designed to enhance flexibility and streamline the certification process. Longitudinal assessment leverages technology to facilitate continuous learning through shorter assessments relevant to your specialty training and career, delivered over time via a convenient remote online learning platform.

The AOBD longitudinal assessment is administered through the CATALYST platform hosted by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). The platform is easily accessible from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Longitudinal Assessment Registration

If you hold primary certification in Dermatology, please follow the guidelines below to determine when you should register for longitudinal assessment:

• If your initial primary certification was issued before Jan. 1, 2021:
  You are required to participate in longitudinal assessment each year, beginning in the expiration year of your current 10-year certificate. Registration opens in the fall prior to the start of following year’s assessment.
• If your initial primary certification was issued on Jan. 1, 2021, or later:
  You are not required to begin participation in longitudinal assessment for one full calendar year after becoming board certified. One year from the issue date of your initial primary certification, you will be required to register during the next available registration cycle and begin participation in longitudinal assessment the following year. Example: If you received initial certification in Spring 2022, you would register for longitudinal assessment in Fall 2023 and begin participation in 2023.

Longitudinal Assessment Schedule

The following chart outlines the annual registration and administration cycles for longitudinal assessment. Each three-year cycle consists of three segments (calendar years).

Longitudinal Assessment Process

Each longitudinal assessment cycle will coincide with the OCC cycle, lasting three years.

During each calendar year of the three-year cycle:

• Ten items will be delivered during the first three quarters each calendar year. The items will only be available during the quarter in which they are delivered.
• You must answer ten untimed multiple-choice questions in each selected content area, for a total of 30 questions per calendar year.

Number of reattempts:

The fourth quarter of the year is reserved for re-attempts. During this quarter you will be allowed to re-attempt incorrectly answered items from that year’s questions only.

Longitudinal Assessment Scoring

You must achieve a cumulative grade of 70% at the conclusion of the three-year cycle in order to successfully pass the longitudinal assessment.

If you do not achieve a 70% cumulative grade or fail to participate in a required longitudinal assessment, your certification may be placed in inactive status. In either case, you may contact the AOBD to explore options for remediation.

Longitudinal Assessment Fees

Once you begin longitudinal assessment participation, registration is required annually throughout the cycle. A $175 fee will be assessed at the time of registration.

2024 Longitudinal Assessment References

The following references are provided as a preparation tool for the 2024 Longitudinal Assessment.

Longitudinal Assessment FAQs`

General information:

• What is longitudinal assessment?
  Longitudinal assessment is a process that leverages technology to facilitate continuous learning by providing shorter assessments of knowledge relevant to your specialty training and career, delivered over time and accessible via a convenient remote online learning platform.
• When can I begin longitudinal assessment?
  Your certification issue/expiration date will determine when should begin participating in longitudinal assessment.
• How do I know when my certification was issued or expires?
  Visit the AOA Physician Portal to view your certification details and check the status of your OCC.
• I have a non-time limited certificate. Do I need to participate in longitudinal assessment?
  No, participation in longitudinal assessment is voluntary if you hold a non-time-limited certificate.
• Do I need to complete longitudinal assessment if I received certification through the AOA’s ABMS reciprocity campaign?
  Yes, you must fulfill all requirements for Osteopathic Continuous Certification in order to maintain AOA Board Certification.

Exam platform:

• How is longitudinal assessment administered?
  The dermatology longitudinal assessment is administered through the CATALYST platform, hosted by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
• How do I access the CATALYST platform?
  The CATALYST platform can be accessed anytime via computer, tablet, smartphone or the CATALYST mobile app.

Longitudinal assessment registration:

• How do I register for longitudinal assessment?
  If you are eligible to participate in longitudinal assessment, you can register on the AOBD website.
• How much does the longitudinal assessment cost?
  The annual fee is $175 and must be paid at the time of registration.

Longitudinal assessment process:

• Are the assessments timed?
  No, the assessments are not timed.
• Can I begin questions stop, and then resume my exam?
  Yes, diplomates may stop and resume the assessment at any time, but all items must be answered before the end of the quarter.
• What is the passing score?
  You must achieve a cumulative grade 70% at the conclusion of the three-year cycle.
• What happens if I am unsuccessful in meeting the passing score?
  If a diplomate does not achieve a 70% cumulative grade or fails to participate in the assessment, the diplomate must enter the remediation process. Diplomates will be given a six-month grace period after the assessment cycle to take a 90-question exam given in a secure, proctored format. A 70% score is required to pass the period exam. The certification status of diplomates who do not pass the secure proctored examination during the remediation period will be inactive until a passing score is achieved on the secure proctored examination.

Compliance With Federal Regulations

The Board supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for candidates who meet ADA eligibility. The board 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 Board 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 any part of the AOBD board certification process.