AOBFP
RECERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
APPLICATION - May 7, 2011 Exam
POSTMARK DEADLINES AND FEES –
Oct. 1 $ 800
Nov. 1 $ 950
Dec. 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, 2, 2010 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 three 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.
The practical performance
evaluation portion of the recertification exam requires your travel to one of
the convention sites for completion. The Spring ACOFP convention or the
Fall AOA convention will both be sites. The Spring 2011 ACOFP convention
dates are March 16-20th in San Antonio, TX. The practical exam will be
offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 15-16th.
You may indicate your preference for one of those two days at the top of
the application form; however, there is no guarantee you will be scheduled for
that selection. Dates for the practical will be assigned as the AOBFP processes
completed applications in their order of receipt.
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. 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 format is 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.
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 December 1, 2010:
- 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) –
- No later than Oct. 1, $800
- No later than Nov. 1, $950
- No later than Dec. 1, $1,050
ALLOW AT LEAST THREE 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
330 E. Algonquin Rd., Suite 6
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(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.
Click here to open the application in Adobe Acrobat
or
Click here to download the requirements and application
The above download is a downloadable self-extracting "zip" file.
Download and save into a desired directory on your hard drive.
Open the extractable .exe file and extract the .pdf file into the default directory that is pre-set.
Open the .pdf with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and print it out.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader (free version), click here.