Component 3: Cognitive Assessment
To meet Component 3 requirements for Osteopathic Continuous Certification, you must pass one or more psychometrically valid examinations that assess your specialty medical knowledge and mastery of core competencies in the provision of health care. The AOBOG sets forth the following requirements for Component 3.
New! Advanced Real-time Certification (ARC)
AOBOG is pleased to launch Advanced Real-time Certification (ARC), an online longitudinal assessment program that enables you to fulfill your OCC Component 3 requirements more conveniently over time, rather than through an in-person recertification exam once every six years.
ARC participants complete 24 online assessment items annually (8 per quarter for the first three quarters of each year). During the fourth quarter, you will have the opportunity to revisit any items answered incorrectly during previous quarters. Items answered correctly during this second-chance round will cancel out the previous responses and count toward your overall score.
To maintain OCC requirements for a subspecialty, you will need to complete 10 assessment items annually. During the fourth quarter, you will have the opportunity to revisit any items answered incorrectly during previous quarters.
View our list of Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Register for ARC
When registering for ARC, you will need to indicate the scope of your practice, which will help customize the content of your assessment. Please consider the practice categories below so you can select the one that most closely fits your 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
The cost to participate in ARC is included in the new annual OCC fee: $300 for one certification; $150 for each additional certification. You will pay the annual fee at the time of registration.
OCC Written Exam (for inactive/expired certificates)
Physicians holding inactive or expired certificates must pass the traditional written OCC exam. Upon passing the exam and completing any other outstanding OCC requirements, your credentials will be submitted for reactivation of certification. At that point, you will be eligible to register for ARC (Advanced Real-time Certification).
The multiple-choice exam for reentry into OCC in the primary specialty of obstetrics and gynecology is offered twice each year, generally in the spring and fall at regional Pearson VUE testing centers. Diplomates may apply to take the OCC exam beginning in year four of the six-year OCC cycle.
The Primary OCC Exam is a two-hour exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions on general obstetrics (35-45%) and gynecology (55-65%) as well as general questions encompassing female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, maternal fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, and gynecologic oncology. General knowledge reflective of the current standard of care based on the best available medical evidence is expected. Emphasis is placed on important changes in treatment guidelines (where applicable). View primary reference materials.
| Primary Certification | |
|---|---|
| CATEGORY | PERCENT |
Gynecology
|
55-65% |
Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine
|
35-45% |
Every effort will be made to release results within 45 days of the examination date. Exam results will be posted online in the CBMS portal, the same place you registered for the exam. Candidates will be notified by email of the results posting.
Subspecialty OCC Oral Exam (for inactive/expired certificates)
Physicians holding inactive or expired subspecialty certificates must pass the Subspecialty OCC Oral exam. Upon passing the exam and completing any other outstanding OCC requirements, your credentials will be submitted for reactivation of certification. At that point, you will be eligible to register for ARC (Advanced Real-time Certification).
Subspecialty OCC oral exams are offered twice per year (generally in the spring and fall) in Rosemont, Illinois. The subspecialty OCC examination is a three-hour oral exam based upon:
- Cases submitted from the candidate’s log of clinical activity. All required documentation must be postmarked by the late application deadline. View all exam deadlines.
- The candidate’s general knowledge of the subspecialty.
The OCC oral exam is offered in the subspecialties of:
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery | Get details
- Gynecologic Oncology | Get details
- Maternal Fetal Medicine OCC Oral Exams | Get details
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Subspecialty | Get details
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Gynecologic Oncology and Maternal Fetal Medicine oral exams will be scored as follows:
- 50 % – discussion of cases submitted from the log of clinical activity
- 50 % – candidate’s general knowledge of the subspecialty
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility subspecialty oral exams will be scored as follows:
- 100 % – clinical case scenarios
A passing score is 75%. Every effort will be made to release results within 45 days of the examination date. Exam results will be posted online in the CBMS portal. Candidates will be notified by email when results are posted.
Applications and Payment
OCC Component 3 exam costs are outlined below:
| OCC Certification | |
|---|---|
| EXAM Type | Fee |
| ARC Annual OCC Fee (once per calendar year) |
$300 for one certification $150 each additional certification |
| OCC Registration Fee (once per six-year OCC cycle) |
$150 |
| OCC Cognitive Assessment Exam Fee (for inactive/expired certificates) |
$1,525 |
| Subspecialty OCC Exam (for inactive/expired certificates) |
$3,525 |
AOBOG Refund Policy
- Primary OCC Examination
- Applicant not accepted for examination by the Credentials Committee = 75% refund
- Applicant cancels prior to 14 days of the scheduled examination = 50% refund
- Applicant cancels within 14 days of the scheduled examination = no refund
- Subspecialty Examinations
- Applicant not accepted for examination by the Credentials Committee = 75% refund
- Applicant cancels prior to 45 days of the scheduled examination = 50% refund
- Applicant cancels within 45 days of the scheduled examination = no refund
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.