Oral Examinations

Beginning in 2015, all oral examinations will be administered in Chicago. This decision was made in order to accompany more candidates and diplomates to travel to a more central location in the nation.

The cognitive assessment oral examination (recertification) will be moved to accommodate religious holidays. The exams will now be administered on September 10 and 11, 2015, in Chicago.

CAQs

Effective immediately, all Certificates of Added Qualification (CAQs) under American Osteopathic Association authority with the exception of those under Family Medicine jurisdiction are now known as subspecialty certificates. New certificates for current CAQ holders will not be issued until recertification. Diplomates holding these may now refer to themselves as “subspecialty certified in ____”

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

OBEM has applied to join this conjoint board. We are awaiting BOS approval. When this is complete, requirements will be published.

Critical Care–Surgical

American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) diplomates that have completed a surgical critical care fellowship will now be able to sit for this subspecialty examination administered by American Osteopathic Board of Surgery.

CME

For the 2013–2015 CME cycle, the caps on the number of specialty CME hours that are allowed from organizations such as state osteopathic associations has been suspended. Diplomates should also be aware that AOBEM still requires 150 hours per cycle. Please refer to http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/development/continuing-medical-education/Pages/cme-guide.aspx for more information.

Examiners and Item Writers

AOBEM welcomes submissions for qualified diplomates to participate with the board as item writers and oral board examiners. Item writers may be DOs or MDs and must be board certified by AOBEM or American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Item writers are required to complete the online National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners item writer course and submit the certificate of completion.

Item writers for subspecialty exams are also welcomed. These item writers must hold a subspecialty certificate for which they wish to write items. Currently, we have subspecialty exams in EMS and Toxicology. AOBEM also is a conjoint sponsor for Sports Medicine, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Our diplomates may also sit for Internal Medicine Critical Care and Surgical Critical Care therefore holders of those certificates may also apply to become item writers and/or subject matter experts. The board anticipates approval to join Hospice and Palliative Medicine soon and holders of these certificates may enlist as item writers as well.

Oral board examiners must be DOs holding current certification by AOBEM or ABEM for at least the previous three years. Oral board examiners are also expected to participate as item writers and Part III (Clinical Examination) examiners.