OSTEOPATHIC BOARD CERTIFICATION

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Osteopathic Continuous Certification

Component 3: Cognitive Assessment

Component 3 of Osteopathic Continuous Certification requires provision of one or more psychometrically valid and proctored examinations that assess a physician’s specialty medical knowledge, as well as core competencies in the provision of health care.

Longitudinal Assessment

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.

Under AOBS, Diplomates are required to complete the 15-question assessment, updated annually with new questions, reading references and rationales. Registration for the 2026 assessment opened on Nov. 17, 2025, and Diplomates will be provided with access beginning on Jan. 26, 2026.

The AOBS Longitudinal Assessment consists of questions developed by the AOBS and the Division of Examiners, including Subject Matter Experts. Starting in 2026, the assessment is delivered to Diplomates on the AOA Learning Management System (LMS) with 24/7 access.

AOBS remains committed to supporting our Diplomates desire for life-long learning. Please check this website frequently as we continue to provide additional information to best answer your questions.

Longitudinal Assessment References

The following references are provided as a preparation tool for the 2026 Longitudinal Assessment. For those in remediation, the previous year(s) references are also available.

References

Exam Policies

Compliance With Federal Regulations

The AOBS complies with all applicable federal and state regulations, including:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The AOBS 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 AOBS ensures that individuals’ health information is properly protected, while allowing the flow of health information to provide and promote high quality health care. All medical records submitted for review by candidates for AOBS certification will be de-identified by the candidate prior to submission, such that the remaining information cannot be used to identify an individual patient.

Important Items

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.
  • The Assessment, beginning in 2026 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. Watch for an email from [email protected].

Taking the AOBS Longitudinal Assessment

  • The Assessment consists of 15 questions and 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, Diplomate and/or the organization are already a subscriber 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 up to the Diplomate to obtain the articles. While not mandatory, we do encourage you to read the articles in advance.

Certificates, confirmation of completion and 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, remember that you can order one through the 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.