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Board eligibility
A physician’s eligibility for AOA board certification begins upon completion of their specialty or subspecialty training program and ends on Dec. 31 of the following sixth year.
Board eligibility status will be automatically terminated in the following circumstances:
- After completion of the board eligibility timeframe.
- Upon denial of an appeal to extend the board eligibility timeframe for an individual.
- Upon award of certification.
The following eligibility requirements must be met for AOA board certification:
- You must be a graduate of a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine and have completed an AOA or ACGME-accredited training program OR be a graduate of a LCME-accredited medical school and have completed an ACGME-accredited training program.
- You must hold a valid, active license to practice medicine in a U.S. state, commonwealth, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory.
- You must adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics.
- You must follow the process as outlined by the board’s requirements and meet any specialty-specific requirements for board certification during the six-year board eligibility period.
- You must pass all required certification exams.
Re-entry into the certification process
A physician who has not obtained final certification at the end of six years of board eligibility may petition the AOBP to re-enter the certification process.
Candidates may petition the board to extend eligibility two additional years once the six-year limit has expired. To be granted re-entry into the certification process, a candidate must meet specific criteria and follow the post-award eligibility guidelines. If the board-recommended criteria are not met, the candidate will no longer be eligible to continue the certification process.
To re-establish board eligibility, candidates must:
- Hold active licensure in all states where they hold a medical license
- Conform to the AOA Code of Ethics
Post-award eligibility guidelines
Candidates who did not achieve board certification by the conclusion to the six (6) year board eligibility timeframe must apply for examination to the specialty certifying board to enter the post board eligibility certification process within three (3) years of termination of the board eligibility status timeframe. Candidates must adhere to the process as outlined below:
- Candidates must participate in the first available administration of each exam.
- Candidates will have four (4) attempts to pass each step of the examination process.
- Candidates must participate in the next available examination administration if unsuccessful on an examination attempt.
- Nonparticipation in the next available examination administration is considered a forfeiture and an unsuccessful examination attempt.
- Candidates who do not achieve board certification through the post board eligibility process will have no further opportunity to obtain AOA board certification in the specialty or subspecialty.
Subspecialty certification eligibility
To be eligible for AOBP subspecialty certification, a candidate must:
- Earn primary certification through the AOBP.
- Successfully complete required training in the subspecialty area.
Right to appeal
If a candidate feels that actions of the AOBP with regard to any part of the certification process constitute unequal application of the Bylaws or Policies and Procedures, unwarranted discrimination, prejudice, unfairness or improper conduct of the examination, he or she has the right to appeal to the board.
Appeals to the board must be made in writing and should include any supporting document for proper review of the case. The appeal must be submitted in writing within 30 days of receiving exam results.
The board will not consider appeals based on examination content, sufficiency or accuracy of answers to exam questions, scoring of the exam, and/or determination of the minimum passing score. If an appeal is denied by the AOBP, the candidate retains the right to appeal to the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS).
Compliance with federal regulations
The AOBP complies with all applicable federal and state regulations, including:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The AOBP complies with requirements prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation, as well as regulations for Title II and Title III (and all subsequent regulations) as printed in the federal register.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): In compliance with the HIPAA Act of 1996 and any subsequent modifications, the AOBP ensures that individuals’ health information is properly protected, while allowing the flow of health information to provide and promote high quality health care. Patient confidentiality as defined by HIPAA will be maintained at all times in every exam administered by the AOBP.