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.
Annual registration for longitudinal assessment is required for all physicians who hold an active primary certification in General Pediatrics. Registration opens in the fall prior to the start of the following year’s assessment. You will begin the longitudinal assessment in the expiration year of your current 10-year certificate.
Verify the expiration date of your General Pediatrics board certification and check your OCC status by logging into the AOA Physician Portal.
No, participation in longitudinal assessment is voluntary if you hold a non-time-limited certificate.
Yes, you must fulfill all requirements for Osteopathic Continuous Certification in order to maintain AOA Board Certification.
The AOBP longitudinal assessment is administered through the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners’ (NBOME) CATALYST platform, which can be accessed through any internet web-based accessible device or through the CATALYST mobile app.
The platform will provide immediate performance feedback and rationale for each incorrectly-answered question
You will receive an email from AOBP when the longitudinal assessment application period opens. Registration will be available on the AOBP website at https://certification.osteopathic.org/pediatrics/. Application, registration dates, and additional information can also be located under Important Dates.
Once you begin participation, you are required to register for the AOBP longitudinal assessment each year. Registration for longitudinal assessment opens in the fall prior to the start of the longitudinal assessment the following year. The registration window for longitudinal assessment is typically no more than 30 days.
A $200 fee will be assessed annually at the time of registration and is payable by credit or debit card only.
Each assessment cycle will coincide with the OCC cycle, lasting three years. There are two 6-month assessment segments each calendar year.
Each assessment segment lasts six months*. You will have five months to complete the questions distributed during the assessment segment. The last month of the assessment segment is reserved for grading and generating your score report.
*Please note: If you participate in the initial launch of longitudinal assessment scheduled for March 2022, you will complete a shortened segment.
No. The longitudinal assessment questions are not timed.
The CATALYST platform has a user-friendly dashboard that presents information on your performance. The dashboard notes your progress, assessment due date, number of days remaining in the assessment segment, and time remaining to complete the assignment.
CATALYST will also display the number of items remaining and the number of items answered correctly or incorrectly. You will also have the ability to set up customized notifications and/or individualized test plan options.
The platform keeps track of the items you answer. You can answer the items at your own pace throughout the six-month assessment segment. However, all 15 questions need to be completed before or by the end of the six-month assessment segment.
At the conclusion of the longitudinal assessment cycle, you must have accurately answered a minimum of 70% of the 90 questions distributed over the course of the 3-year assessment cycle.
Physicians who do not achieve the minimum passing score of 70% following completion of the longitudinal assessment will be required to complete the following:
- Participate in an educational review of available resources, including rationale for incorrectly-answered longitudinal assessment questions; Med Study Program Pediatric Review Course; review courses offered through the American Academy of Pediatrics; and review of Nelson Pediatric Textbook (physicians are responsible for all course outcomes and costs).
- Take a 90-item secured and timed assessment.
- Participate in a total of 90-questions of six blocks, along with a second attempt of each block’s incorrect items.
After completion of review of resources, physicians may petition the AOBP for approval to participate in the 90-item secured and timed assessment. If a 70% pass rate is not achieved, the physician will be required to re-enter the initial pathway for certification.
Upon successful completion of a longitudinal assessment cycle, a certificate will be mailed with an effective date of January 1 of the year the assessment cycle began. The AOA will no longer be adding expiration dates. All new certificates will only list the date of issue.
The CATALYST platform is easily accessible via computer (laptop or desktop with camera), smartphone, tablet or the CATALYST mobile app.
Active participation in each component of OCC is required for continuous certification. If you are unable to participate in any segment of the AOBP longitudinal assessment, contact the AOBP office directly at AOBP@osteopathic.org.
Successful completion of the AOBP longitudinal assessment will fulfill the OCC Component 3: Cognitive Assessment requirement. The AOBP does not grant CME for participating in longitudinal assessment.
Contact the AOBP office at aobp@osteopathic.org.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding features and functionality of the CATALYST platform, contact NBOME Client Services at clientservices@nbome.org or (866) 479-6828.
Additional information on NBOME’s CATALYST assessment platform can be found on the CATALYST website.
At this time, longitudinal assessment is only available for the General Pediatric primary board certification. Information regarding longitudinal assessment for the Pediatric subspecialty and conjoint certifications will be provided once available.