Choosing AOBFP certification: The best path for osteopathic family physicians
By Deb Dupnik, CAE, CCSM-A, Director, American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
Family physicians have an important choice when it comes to board certification: the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). While both certifications validate a physician’s expertise, AOBFP certification offers distinct advantages for those committed to osteopathic principles and practice. As an osteopathic physician, your training emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach that integrates osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and a whole-person philosophy of care. AOBFP certification aligns with these values, ensuring your credentials reflect your unique skills and philosophy. Choosing AOBFP not only reinforces your commitment to osteopathic medicine but also enhances professional opportunities within osteopathic-focused institutions and communities.
The AOBFP is a specialty certifying board of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), whose Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) has served as the certifying body for all AOA specialties and subspecialties for more than 80 years. The BOS works to establish and maintain high standards for certification, ensuring that AOA board-certified physicians demonstrate expertise and competence in their areas of specialization.
The AOA represents over 197,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students across the United States.
In 2014, the AOA and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) agreed to develop a single accreditation system for all graduate medical education programs in the U.S. As of June 30, 2020, the five-year transition to a single accreditation system for graduate medical education in the U.S. concluded with the successful joining of the two accreditation programs for graduate medical education in the United States. The ACGME now serves as the nation’s sole accreditor for both DO and MD residencies and fellowships. You can learn more about the transition on the ACGME website.
As physicians, you are all dedicated to providing the highest level of care to your patients, and you have a deep commitment to our profession and its guiding principles. For osteopathic physicians, the value of maintaining and advancing our distinct approach to medicine cannot be overstated. One of the most important ways to honor and uphold your osteopathic heritage is through certification with the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP).
The AOBFP certification is specifically tailored for osteopathic family physicians, highlighting a holistic approach to patient care and the incorporation of OMT. Unlike certification through the ABFM, the AOBFP reinforces your identity as DOs, underscoring the principles of osteopathy and the profession’s rich history. While ABFM certification is certainly well-regarded, it does not reflect the distinctive osteopathic philosophy or skills that set DOs apart. Certification with the AOBFP affirms your expertise not only in family medicine but also in the unique osteopathic approach that considers the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected elements of health and healing.
The AOBFP and the ABFM have some similarities. They both fulfill all ACGME requirements and both pathways show statistically similar data outcomes. However, there are some key differences to be aware of, as outlined in a helpful guide created collaboratively with the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP).
By choosing the AOBFP, you demonstrate a commitment to:
- Preserving the osteopathic profession’s legacy: Osteopathic medicine was founded on the principle that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself. Certification with the AOBFP underscores your dedication to carrying this principle forward.
- Distinguishing care: As DOs, our patients often seek us out for our holistic perspective and OMT expertise. The AOBFP reinforces the value you bring to the health care system, setting you apart from other medical professionals.
- Strengthening community: Supporting osteopathic certification ensures the continued relevance and recognition of the osteopathic profession in an evolving health care landscape.
Your decision to pursue and maintain AOBFP certification is more than a professional milestone—it is a statement of pride in the osteopathic profession. It signifies your commitment to providing patient-centered care rooted in our unique philosophy and your belief in the enduring importance of the osteopathic approach. Choosing AOBFP certification is not just about credentials—it’s about preserving the integrity of osteopathic family medicine for both today’s practitioners and future generations.
Thank you for your dedication to the osteopathic profession and to the patients who trust you with their care. Together, we can ensure the osteopathic legacy continues to shine brightly in the field of family medicine.
2025 application open dates
- July 2025: Initial Certification Fall 2025 Written (Cognitive) Exam
- August 2025: 2026 Early Entry Initial Certification (EEIC)
- October 2025: Spring 2026 OMT Performance Exam and 2026 Longitudinal Assessment Registration
Financial assistance is available through the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Learn more.
If you are interested in scheduling an AOBFP Certification webinar for your program, please contact AOBFP Director Deb Dupnik, CAE, CCSM-A, at [email protected].