AOBFPRECERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
APPLICATION – October 27, 2012 Cognitive Exam
October 7 or 8, 2012 Practical OMT Exam
POSTMARK DEADLINES AND FEES –
April 1 $ 800
May 1 $ 950
June 1 $ 1,050
Fee includes both
the cognitive assessment exam and the OMT practical exam
QUESTIONS?
- Examination Dates
- Eligibility Requirements
- Recertification Process
Contact AOBFP - (847) 640-8477
Recorded information - (800) 390-5801
Dear
Doctor:
Included is an application and information pertaining
to the Family Practice Recertification examination. The cognitive assessment portion of the examination
(half day) will be a computer-based exam given on Saturday, October 27,
2012 at regional test sites made available by Pearson VUE, our testing
vendor. You will be provided with
detailed information from Pearson VUE for the selection of your test site only
after your completed application and supporting documents have been received by
the AOBFP, fully processed/verified, and your eligibility is confirmed in
writing. We require at least four weeks
after receipt for the processing of your materials. Once you have received your verification from
the AOBFP that you are approved for examination, it is to your benefit to
contact Pearson VUE in a timely manner to select your preferred test site, as
confirmation will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. You may access the testing vendor’s website
at www.pearsonvue.com/aobfp/ to
view a sample of regional sites that may be available when it is time for you
to make a selection.
The
practical performance evaluation portion of the recertification exam requires
your travel to one of the convention sites for completion. The Fall 2012
AOA OMED conference and the Spring 2013 ACOFP conference will both be
sites. The Fall 2012 AOA OMED conference dates are October 7-11th at the Marriott
Hotel in
Family
practice recertification is a voluntary exam process for family
physicians certified prior to March 1997.
Unsuccessful examination will not result in the revocation of
original certification in family practice.
A recertification certificate notating an expiration date eight years
thereafter will be awarded to successful candidates upon AOA approval. Once this process is started, it is
recommended that successive examinations be completed every eight years; a
certificate will be awarded after each of those examinations. Reexamination for unsuccessful candidates is
offered at the next available administration.
Recertification
is a mandatory exam process for family physicians with a certificate
dated in March 1997 or thereafter.
Successful candidates will receive a certificate upon the expiration of
their original certificate notating an expiration date eight years
thereafter. Reexamination for
unsuccessful candidates is offered at the next available administration.
AOA
membership must remain in good standing for a continuous period with the
documentation of at least 150 CME hours per three-year AOA cycle. A minimum of 50 hours must be obtained in the
primary specialty area.
· Primary certification in family practice for at least six years
·
Current practice as a family physician
·
AOA member in good standing for at least two consecutive years
immediately prior to application and examination
· Documentation of 150 CME
hrs. on 2007-2009 AOA CME Activity Report and an estimated 100 hrs. on the
current report. Applicants with waivers of CME for financial
hardship or active military service must provide AOA documentation.
·
Hold an unrestricted current medical license (An applicant that has a
restricted license may petition the Board for the ability to enter the
recertification process based upon review of the reason for licensure
restriction. A copy of the court order should be included with the
submitted application documents.)
The
applicable examination fee, based on the postmark deadline, is payable with the
application and supporting documents. Additional fees will apply for
cancellations and rescheduling.
The exam includes
both an OMT practical exam and a cognitive assessment exam consisting of
approximately 200 questions covering the major disciplines within family
practice. Those major areas include
Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology,
Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Hematology, Neurology, Osteopathic Principles,
Pulmonology, Urology & Nephrology, Adolescent Medicine, Sports Medicine,
EENT, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Ob/Gyn, Pediatrics, Medical Jurisprudence,
Psychiatry, Preventive Medicine and Women’s Issues.
You will be given 3.5 hours in which to complete all examination items in the cognitive exam.
The candidate must have a minimal working knowledge of a computer mouse, have the ability to "point and click", and have a basic understanding of Microsoft Windows operating system. The testing vendor’s website at www.pearsonvue.com/aobfp/ may be visited at any time for viewing of a computer-based tutorial.
To apply
for examination, submit all of the following in one mailing to
AOBFP by one of the applicable postmark deadline dates, but no later than a
postmark of June 1, 2012:
- Completed,
signed and dated application
- Copy of
2007-2009 and 2010-current AOA CME Activity Report
- Copy of
medical license reflecting expiration date
- One
recent, original passport-size photo (no smaller than 2" square)
- Written verification from the AOA confirming membership in good standing for two consecutive years; contact the AOA Membership Services Dept. (800)621-1773 and they will forward directly to the AOBFP
Special Accommodations –
Candidates seeking special
POSTMARK deadlines and exam fee, which covers payment for both the cognitive assessment exam and the OMT
practical (check or money order made payable to AOBFP; credit cards not
accepted; late fees are nonrefundable) –
- No later than Nov. 1, $800
- No later than Dec. 1, $950 (includes $150 late fee)
- No later than Jan. 1, $1,050 (includes $250 late fee)
ALLOW AT
LEAST FOUR WEEKS FOR AOBFP PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS. CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT AND ELIGIBILITY WILL
BE AVAILABLE AFTER THAT TIME. PRIORITY MAIL WITH SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION IS
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE CONFIRMATION BY POSTAL SERVICE OF RECEIPT
IN AOBFP OFFICE.
Scheduling
will be confirmed in writing from AOBFP.
Travel arrangements should not be made until you are confirmed by this
office for examination.
SUBMIT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IN ONE MAILING TO -
American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
(847)640-8477
AOBFP EXAM TABLE OF TEST SPECIFICATIONS
Preventive
Medicine 5%
Psychiatry 4%
Medical
Jurisprudence 3%
General Medicine
Allergy/Immunology inc.
Rheumatology 5%
Cardiology 5%
Dermatology 5%
Endocrinology 5%
Gastroenterology 5%
Hematology 4%
Nephrology/Urology 4%
Neurology 5%
OPP 5%
Pulmonology 5%
Surgery
EENT 5%
General
Surgery 3%
Orthopedics 5%
Obstetrics/Gynecology 4%
Pediatrics 4%
Sports
Medicine 3%
Women’s
Issues 4%
The
approximate total number of test items in the certification exam is 400 with
200 items in the recertification exam.
The above percentages are offered as a guideline only and may change
with each exam administration. These
breakdowns are approximations and may vary plus or minus by 4 items.
AOBFP
CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
PROCEDURES FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
1.
The candidate is required to present
one government issued photo ID along with a secondary signature ID. The candidate will sign-in and receive an ID
badge, which is to be worn throughout the examination; the photo ID (driver’s
license) is to be inserted in the back of the badge holder with the name and
photo visible. Another certification
candidate within the same exam time assignment is to be selected to serve as
your exam partner. Partners cannot
be related by blood or marriage. Partners will then await entrance to the exam
room.
2.
Upon entering the exam room with a
partner, you will initially be seated in a “registration area”. You will be
presented a waiver form stating you understand that: If your treatment
involves an active correction, thrust, or HVLA, you are to set the patient into
the proper position only and verbalize the mechanism and direction of your
correction. You are not to complete the active correction. You will then be
given three (3) forms on which to enter your
name, your ID number, and your partner’s ID number. Each
form will have a clinical case on the reverse side. Each candidate will receive
one (1) case from each of the following categories: spine, extremities, and
systemic diseases (i.e. asthma). Do not turn the papers over until
instructed. On the signal to begin, you
will have 20 minutes to review and choose the one (1) best answer from the four
(4) choices listed on the front side of each sheet. After you have selected the diagnosis for
each case, you should spend the remainder of the 20 minutes planning your
treatment strategy for each case. This is all the data that will be given. You
are not to talk with your partner or fellow candidates. If necessary, you may direct any questions to
a proctor. No reference materials
may be viewed. Notes may only be made directly on the questionnaire/case form.
3.
Note that once you have been admitted
to the room, you may not leave. Any
exits from the room will require substitution of other cases for both
candidates.
4.
After 20 minutes has elapsed, exam
proctors will direct all candidates from the “registration area” to the
examination area. Each pair of candidates will be directed to their first of three separate exam stations. Verbal instructions
will be given. The
examiner will review your diagnosis for the first case and
indicate whether or not the correct diagnosis has been given. If the wrong diagnosis is given, you will be informed
of the correct diagnosis. An incorrect
diagnosis will, of course, result in no points awarded for that portion of that
case evaluation. You will be given 4 minutes
in which to demonstrate and discuss appropriate
OMT for your first case. The performance
portions for that case will be scored based on the explanation and
demonstration of treatment for the correct diagnosis. If your treatment involves an active
correction, thrust or HVLA, you are to set the patient into the proper position
only and verbalize the mechanism and direction of your correction. You are not
to complete the active correction. * Your partner will act the role of your
patient during your examination and then you will reverse roles. Your partner
will then be given 4 minutes for their
examination. Instructions will not be
repeated at stations two or three.
*see # 2 above regarding waiver
form
5.
After 8 minutes
has elapsed and the examination has been completed at the first station, all
candidates will move to the second station.
Start time will be announced and one candidate will then be examined in 4 minutes followed by the second candidate. After another 8 minutes
has elapsed, all candidates will move to the final station.
6.
Each case will be scored using the
following criteria:
-
Diagnosis
-
Identification of landmarks appropriate to the technique
-
Implementation and demonstration of appropriate technique/s
- Ability to discuss each technique
7.
Upon completion of the exam at the
third station, the candidates will move to a separate area and await their exam
results for the practical portion of the examination.
8. A candidate must receive a passing score on two (2) of the
three (3) cases in order to pass the performance exam. In
the event a candidate does not receive a passing score on two of the three
cases, that candidate shall be given another
opportunity to retake the performance exam later
that same day. The candidate will be
retested in all three categories. The
same examination protocols and grading system shall be in effect on the retake
examinations as on the initial performance evaluation. Any
candidate who fails to return for the retake exam will be given a failing grade
on the performance examination.
9. In the event of a failure on the retake examination, the
candidate will be deemed to have failed the performance examination. In order
to attain certification/recertification the candidate must retake the
performance exam at a future date.
10. After three (3) failures on the
performance exam, in order to apply for reexamination, the candidate must
document to the AOBFP completion of a CME review course in osteopathic
principles and techniques that has been approved by the AOBFP.
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