The AOA has created a new portal for diplomates to review their Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) progress. It is called the Physician Portal. The website is https://physicianportal.osteopathic.org/.
The portal will provide current status for diplomates on each of the required OCC Components through the OCC menu. From the CME menu, diplomates will be able to view and print a current CME report.
As a reminder, the current three year CME cycle will end December 31, 2018. In order to fullfill the Component 4 – Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement requirement, diplomates now have two options.
- Option 1
Complete one PPA module via the OCAT subscription website. More information about PPA’s and OCAT can be found on the AOBOS website under OCC. http://www.aobos.org/content/104/occ.aspx. - Option 2
This is a new alternative that has been made available during 2017. Diplomates may attest to participation in Quality Improvement activities at their hospital or facility. The attestation form and a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found in the Physician Portal under OCC, https://physicianportal.osteopathic.org/PPA/FAQ.
Please note that the AOA Board of Trustees, on July 21, 2016, opted to eliminate enforcement of the 120 general hours (per three-year cycle) of CME required to maintain membership with the AOA. The 120 general hours are now recommended by the AOA but not required. Board Certified Physicians are still required to earn a minimum of 50 CME credits within their specialty each three-year CME cycle and physicians with subspecialty certification are required to earn at least 25% or 13 of those 50 credits in their subspecialty area.
Updates to AOBOS Requirements for Board Certification
The AOBOS is moving toward a two part certification process. The Part II Oral Examination was administered for the final time in Chicago on October 11th. The new process will consist of the Part I Written exam and a Case Review examination. The first administration of the Case Review examination for primary certification will occur in conjunction with the AOAO Postgraduate Seminar in Orlando, FL in April 2019.
Detailed application and exam process information will be added to the Handbook for Candidates and the AOBOS website early in the New Year.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Subspecialty Certification
The Orthopedic Sports Test Committee has completed the development of the subspecialty certification examination. The first administration will be in the fall of 2018. The application deadline will be August 15, 2018 and the examination fee will be $3000. Detailed information about the examination and the exam application will be available on the AOBOS website early in the New Year.