Overview
In 2021, the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics announced the transition to a longitudinal assessment model designed to replace the traditional high stakes written recertification exam previously required for Component 3 of Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC).
Once you begin the program, annual participation is required to receive a new reverification date for your board certification. Two six-month assessment segments will take place each calendar year, during which participants will need to answer 15 questions. Participants will answer 30 items each year and must achieve a pass rate of 70%. The 2021-2023 program requires a total of 90 questions over the course of the entire assessment cycle (three years).
Longitudinal assessment enhances convenience and flexibility by leveraging technology to facilitate continuous learning through more frequent, shorter assessments relevant to your specialty training and career, delivered via a remote online learning platform.
The AOBP longitudinal assessment is administered via the CATALYST platform, hosted by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. The platform is easily accessible from your computer, tablet, smartphone or mobile app.
Longitudinal Assessment Registration
If you hold primary certification in General Pediatrics, please follow the guidelines below to determine when you should register for longitudinal assessment:
- Diplomates who hold an active 10-year certification in General Pediatrics:
You are required to begin longitudinal assessment during the expiration year of your 10-year certificate. Example: If you were certified in General Pediatrics on or after Jan. 1, 2015 and your certificate expires Dec. 31, 2025, you must submit your longitudinal assessment application in 2024. The assessment will open in January 2025 in order to complete the items prior to your expiration date. Upon passing the two 15-item assessments, you will be submitted for recertification in December 2025 for the renewal date of January 2026. - Newly boarded diplomates:
You are not required to begin participation in longitudinal assessment for one full calendar year after becoming board certified. Example: If you received initial certification in Spring 2024, you must register for longitudinal assessment in Fall 2025 and begin participation in 2026.
Questions will be untimed and administered via the online CATALYST platform. There are 30 items provided each year. You are permitted to use resources to answer the questions. After completing the assessment, you may review any incorrect items, read through the rationale and view the correct answer. When the first attempt period closes, the correct answers will no longer be viewable. References are only viewable during the open period. During the re-attempt period, you will be able to redo any questions answered incorrectly to raise your score. View exam references.
Incorrect answers:
You will be given a second attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered questions from the previous segment during the re-attempt period of each segment. The re-attempt period is only available if you participated in the initial segment.
Segment time frames:
- Segment 1: Jan. 11 – June 15 (first set of 15 items)
Segment 1 Re-Attempt Period: June 16 – June 30 (re-attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered items from Segment 1; not available if you did not participate in Segment 1) - Segment 2: July 1 – Oct. 15 (second set of 15 items)
Segment 2 Re-Attempt Period: Oct. 16 – Oct. 31 (re-attempt to answer any missed or incorrectly answered items from Segment 2; not available if you did not participate in Segment 2)
Longitudinal Assessment Content
The AOBP longitudinal assessment will include the content areas within each listed year as noted below:
| AOBP Longitudinal Assessment Table of Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| Emergency Medicine/Critical Care | Cardiology | |
| Nephrology/Urology | Endocrinology | |
| Dermatology | Infectious Diseases | |
| Pain/Fluid Management/Pharmacology | ||
Educational resources:
The following list of optional courses and study aids is provided to assist with completion the longitudinal assessment:
- Rationale provided for each incorrectly answered question (delivered via CATALYST)
- Med Study Program
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American College of Pediatrics
- Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
The following references are provided as a preparation tool for the 2024 Longitudinal Assessment:
Please note that participants are responsible for any costs associated with participation in these programs.
Longitudinal Assessment Scoring
The AOBP requires Segment 1 and Segment 2 to meet or exceed the 70% pass rate for successful completion of longitudinal assessment.
Longitudinal Assessment Fees
Registration is required each year of the longitudinal assessment three-year cycle. A $200 fee will be assessed annually at the time of registration.
- Assessment fee: $200
- Late fee: $50
- Refund policy applies