Exam Policies
Exam Scoring
Exam scores will be sent via email no more than 90 days following the exam. Exam results will not be provided over the phone. Successful candidates will receive a certificate after the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists gives final approval of the exam process for each candidate. This approval process may take about six months following the notification of successful completion of the examination.
Rescoring of Examinations
Upon written request and payment of a fee of $50, candidates may obtain rescoring of the examination within a year of receiving the results.
Exam Failure
An applicant who fails an exam is allowed to repeat the examination. The Board may, at its discretion, require one year for further study of the specialty of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation before administering the reexamination.
An applicant who fails an examination a second time is required to wait one year and may then reapply by submitting updated information as requested by the Board.
Right to Appeal
An appeal to the Board must be made in writing by the applicant to the AOBPMR board stating the reasons for requesting an appeal. All appeals must be received within 30 days after the administration of the exam (for written exams) or within two hours (for oral exams). If these deadlines are not met, no further appeal is permitted.
Compliance With Federal Regulations
The AOBPMR is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1992. If a candidate has a disability and requests accommodation in taking an exam, the candidate must submit a questionnaire application and documentation, and the Board will make a reasonable effort to provide necessary aids or services that do not alter the measurement of skills and knowledge that the exam is intended to test, and does not result in undue burden upon the Board.
In its examination processes, the Board will not require candidates to provide, nor will it use, any protected health information, and is obligated to remain compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act).
The AOBPMR does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, sex, age, country of origin, country or sexual orientation.
Code of Conduct: Irregular or Improper Behavior
Because of the AOA’s commitment to the high level of confidentiality and integrity of our certifying board examinations, board examination results and questions of improper conduct are reviewed by board members. Improper behavior, including but not limited to, giving, receiving, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized information or assistance, looking at or utilizing the test material of others, taking notes, failing to comply with computer site staff instructions, talking with other candidates or other disruptive behavior will be considered cause for review of conduct and a possible violation of the certification process. Candidates must not discuss the examination while the session is in progress. Candidates must not disclose the contents of the examination to others or reproduce the examination or any portion of the examination in any manner, including without limitation reconstruction through memorization, electronic means, or dictation. All AOA examinations are copyrighted and protected by federal law. The above policies apply to all examinations administered by any AOA specialty certifying board.
It is a criminal offense to copy or reproduce any portion of the certifying examinations. Each board will monitor examinations for irregular or improper behavior by direct observation, statistical analysis, and by other means. Irregular or improper behavior will constitute grounds for invalidation of the candidate’s examination and each board reserves the right to invoke other sanctions, such as exclusion from future examinations, revocation of board certification, and reporting misconduct to censing bodies or law enforcement agencies.