Component 3

Introduction

Through participation in Osteopathic Continuous Certification, 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 Obstetrics & Gynecology to pass one or more psychometrically valid and proctored examinations focused on assessing medical knowledge and core competencies. 

In 2019, the AOBOG announced the replacement of the traditional high-stakes recertification exam previously required every six 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. 

Beginning in 2026, longitudinal assessments will be completed in the AOA’s Learning Portal. (For more information on the transition and helpful tools to familiarize yourself with the new platform, please visit our platform transition page.

Longitudinal Assessment Registration

If you hold primary certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology or subspecialty certification in Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility or Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery: 

• If your initial certification was issued before Jan. 1, 2020:
  You are required to participate in longitudinal assessment each year, beginning in the expiration year of your current 6-year certificate. Registration opens in the fall prior to the following year’s assessment.
• If your initial certification was issued on Jan. 1, 2020, 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 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 2026, you would register for longitudinal assessment in Fall 2027 and begin participation in 2028.

Longitudinal Assessment Schedule

The following chart outlines the annual registration and administration cycles for longitudinal assessment. Once you have begun the longitudinal assessment process, it is an annual requirement.

Longitudinal Assessment Process

Longitudinal assessment, once begun, is an annual requirement. During each calendar year, diplomates will be required to complete online assessment items as follows: 

Primary Obstetrics & Gynecology: 30 total assessment items annually
Beginning in 2026: All items will be available at once; no more quarterly releases.  

Primary Obstetrics & Gynecology can be customized to your scope of practice. At the time of registration, you will be asked to attest to your scope of practice:

• OB/GYN – if your practice focuses at all on both areas 
• Obstetrics only – if you practice 100% in this area
• Gynecology only – if you practice 100% in this area

Gyn Oncology, MFM, REI and URPS
Beginning in 2025: 15 total assessment items annually  

Number of reattempts: If a question is answered incorrectly, the assessment platform will display the reference and rationale. If you fail on your first attempt, your second attempt opens seven days after completing your first attempt. Items answered correctly during this second-chance round will cancel out the previous responses and count toward your overall score.

IMPORTANT: Beginning in 2025: All assessments will close on Nov. 30 to allow the AOBOG office sufficient time to process certification renewals. 

Longitudinal Assessment References

Due to copyright restrictions, the AOBOG cannot provide most reference materials. However, a list of the references used each year can be found at the link below.

Longitudinal Assessment Scoring

You must achieve a grade of 85% at the conclusion of the year in order to successfully pass the longitudinal assessment. 

If you are unsuccessful in meeting the 85% required to pass the year, you will receive an additional two attempts during a six-month grace period of the following year (ending June 30).

If you fail to participate in a required longitudinal assessment, your certification may be placed in inactive status. In that case, you may contact the AOBOG to explore options for remediation.

Longitudinal Assessment Fees

Once you begin longitudinal assessment participation, you must register each year. A $300 fee will be assessed annually at the time of registration for Obstetrics and Gynecology certification. A $150 fee will be assessed annually at the time of registration for all subspecialty certifications. After the first registration deadline, a late fee of $50 will be assessed.

Longitudinal Assessment FAQs

FAQs about longitudinal assessment in general and the AOA Learning Portal coming in 2026 can be found below.

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. View the schedule.
• 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 AOBOG longitudinal assessment will be administered through the AOA’s Learning Portal, beginning in January 2026.
• How do I access the AOA’s Learning Portal?
  The AOA’s Learning Portal can be accessed online. (Please note, you will not be able to access your assessment(s) until you have received the invitation email from the platform and clicked “Access” from that email. 
• I have certifications in both OB/GYN and a subspecialty. How do I complete both assessments on the AOA’s Learning Portal?
  You will receive a separate email invitation for each assessment. Once you have clicked “Access” from those emails, you will have access to both assessments on the platform. They are separate assessments.

Longitudinal assessment registration:

• How do I register for longitudinal assessment?
  If you are eligible to participate in longitudinal assessment, you can register on the AOBOG website.
• How much does longitudinal assessment cost?
  The annual fee is $300 for Obstetrics & Gynecology certification and $150 for each subspecialty certification and must be paid at the time of registration.

Longitudinal assessment process:

• Are the assessments timed?
  Each question is untimed. You have the entire assessment period to answer your questions.
• Can I begin questions and then resume my assessment?
  Yes. You can begin the assessment, leave the site and return at any time. You may also skip a question and return to it.  
• Can I use reference materials?
  Longitudinal assessment is open book. You are welcome to use reference materials. The references used each year will be posted on this website. Information regarding references is intended to assist you. It is helpful, but not essential to answer the questions. Due to copyright restrictions, AOBOG cannot provide most reference materials. AOBOG primarily uses the ACOG Clinical Guidance documents for the primary OB/GYN assessment.
• How do I review questions after answering them?
  You can review all questions you have answered previously when logged into the platform. You are able to review all questions previously answered, including how you answered them and what the reference(s) and rationale are for that question.
• What is the passing score?
  You must achieve a grade of 85% at the conclusion of each year in order to successfully pass the longitudinal assessment.
• What happens if I am unsuccessful in meeting the passing score?
  If you are unsuccessful in meeting the 85% required to pass the year, you will receive an additional two attempts during a six-month grace period of the following year (ending June 30).

OCC Component 3 for Inactive/Expired Certificates

Diplomates whose certification has been inactive or expired for less than three calendar years must register for and complete any longitudinal assessments not completed/passed, including the current year. Once a diplomate has successfully passed any outstanding longitudinal assessments (and any other outstanding OCC requirements, their certification will be reactivated. 

Diplomates whose certification has been inactive or expired for more than three calendar years must pass the designated initial certification exam in the specialty/subspecialty in order to reactivate their certification. For Obstetrics and Gynecology, the required exam is the Primary Written Exam. For all subspecialties, the required exam is the subspecialty Oral Exam.

Applications and Payment

OCC Component 3 exam costs are outlined below:

Exam Failure

For physicians holding time-dated certification, failure to successfully complete the OCC process (all components) will result in the loss of certification when their current certification expires. 

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 AOBOG board certification process.