Longitudinal Assessment Important Information

Longitudinal Assessment Purpose Statement

The American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS) has transitioned from the 10-year re-certification examination to a longitudinal assessment model for primary certification. In January 2022, the board transitioned to a Longitudinal Assessment model that replaced the high stakes written examination previously required for OCC Component 3. The new approach was designed to afford board-certified physicians with greater flexibility, accessibility and convenience, while facilitating ongoing high-quality assessment and continuous learning.

Registration and Deadlines

Applications for 2026 registration opened on Nov. 17, 2025, and will close on Nov. 9, 2026. Access to the assessment will begin on Jan. 26, 2026, and will close on Nov. 15, 2026. This is the final deadline for completion of the assessment. Longitudinal Assessment is required annually starting the year of your certification expiration date.

Beginning in 2026, the assessment will be hosted on AOA’s Learning Management System (LMS). Registration is $225. With your registration, you will have two attempts to pass the assessment. Should you fail both attempts, you will automatically be placed in remediation.

Access to AOBS Longitudinal Assessment

Once registered, AOBS will process your application. You will receive an invitation to participate generated by the AOA LMS, which will be delivered via email from [email protected].

Taking the AOBS Longitudinal Assessment

The assessment consists of 15 questions. Articles and references are provided along with a rationale and correct answer. An 80% passing rate, or 12 out of 15 questions scored correctly, is required. If you fail your first attempt on the assessment, your second attempt will be available seven days later. The second attempt will provide you only with questions that you did not pass. Any questions scored correctly will not be repeated.

Articles & References

The AOBS Longitudinal Assessment is an “open book” assessment. If an article is free and accessible electronically, you will have the opportunity to read it via the direct links. In most situations, even if an article is not free, the Diplomate and/or their organization are already subscribed to the publishing company and will not have any difficulty accessing the content.

A cited reference reading listing is made available and posted on the AOBS website; it is the responsibility of the Diplomate to obtain the articles. While not mandatory, AOBS does encourage you to read the articles in advance.

Certificates, Confirmation of Completion & CME

A total of 5.0 AOA Category 1-B credits will be awarded at the end of the calendar year upon successful completion of the assessment. If your certificate was granted prior to 2018, it currently has an issuant date and an expiration date. After 2018, the AOA discontinued putting expiration dates on certificates to enhance the nature of continuous learning. You will only receive a new certificate if your current certificate has an expiration date, and all other OCC components have been met.

For those who will not receive a new certificate, you will receive a formal letter from the AOA confirming the successful completion of OCC Component 3. Should you ever need a new certificate, you may order one through your AOA Physician Profile. New certificates, per AOA changes, will only reflect the issuant date.  There will no longer be an expiration date stated on the certificate.

Longitudinal Assessment completes OCC Component 3. Visit the AOA Physician Portal (login required) to review your progress in meeting additional OCC Components. Updates confirming your completion of OCC Component 3 will be posted 30 days after your passing score.

Remediation

Remediation for 2025 is available from Dec. 4, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Your certification will remain active as long as you are participating in the assessment.