OSTEOPATHIC BOARD CERTIFICATION

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Family Medicine Early Entry Initial Certification Process

Early Entry Initial Certification OMT Performance Exam

NOTE: Residents completing programs on or after June 30, 2020 may opt out of the OMT Performance Exam and become board-certified in Family Medicine only. If you select this option, you may complete the OMT Performance Exam at any point in your career to become certified in Family Medicine/OMT.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Early Entry Initial Certification OMT Performance Exam, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are a DO in a Family Medicine residency.
  • You are an MD in an osteopathically recognized Family Medicine residency.
  • You must be in your final year of residency at the time of the examination.

The following criteria must also be met:

Requirements

Once eligibility requirements are met, you must submit the following:

  • A completed application
  • Required fees
  • Verification that you completed two AOBFP In-Service Exams during your residency program
  • Signed and dated Statement of Understanding for Issuance of Certification

Exam Fees

An exam fee of $500 must be submitted with your completed application. No application will be considered complete until all fees have been paid. Non-refundable late fees must be submitted with application based on published submission deadlines. A cancellation processing fee will be assessed once an application has been submitted. All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

Exam Dates and Deadlines

The Family Medicine OMT Performance Exam will be held in spring at the annual ACOFP conference and a second OMT exam may be offered in the fall if there is a large demand for an additional administration. The application period opens 6-8 months prior to the exam administration date. A letter confirming eligibility and the exam schedule is provided to the applicant via email within four weeks upon full processing of the application. Specific time assignments are supplied 4-6 weeks prior to the exam date.

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Exam Content

The OMT Performance exam requires the candidate to diagnose and demonstrate an appropriate technique for each of three cases representing the areas of spine, extremities, and systemic diseases.

Examination Scoring

The criteria used for scoring includes diagnosis, identification of landmarks appropriate to the technique, implementation and demonstration of appropriate technique, ability to discuss each technique, and professionalism. A passing score must be obtained on two of the three cases.

Examination Failure

An opportunity to retake is offered during the same exam administration either later in the day or on another consecutive day of testing. In the event of a failure on the second exam attempt within that session, the candidate will be required to document completion of a CME review course in osteopathic principles and techniques before retaking the OMT Performance Exam at a future date.

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