Location:
Verification of Board Eligibility

Verification of Board Eligibility

Board eligibility is valid for a period of six years from the date of completion of an AOA-approved residency training program in family medicine or from the date of AOA program approval of an allopathic training program.  The examination must be successfully completed, the residency training approved by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) and certification awarded by the AOA within that six year period. 

The period of board eligibility for non-residency trained physicians expired December 31, 2001 with the termination of the clinical practice pathway to eligibility.  Those physicians unsuccessful in the completion of the examination (receiving a failing score) within that six-year period were able to apply for an extension of board eligibility only thru December 31, 2003. 

Board eligibility may only be confirmed for those family physicians who have submitted the appropriate application materials to this office for review and approval.  Candidates fulfilling the eligibility requirements are sent a letter confirming scheduling which would also verify eligibility.   

Termination of Board Eligible Status for Residency Trained Physicians

If a candidate does not initiate examination within the period of board eligibility, then board eligibility status will be automatically lost and so recorded by the AOA and this Board.  In such cases, candidates cannot re-register for board eligibility status, but may be eligible to petition the Board for reentry into the certification process.

Effective July 1, 2009, at the end of six years of board eligibility, the candidate may petition the Board up to two times to reenter the certification process for up to one year with each petition.  Each reentry is limited to two examination attempts.  If the candidate is unsuccessful in completion of the examinations, there will be no further opportunities to become certified.

Mechanism for Reentry into the Certification Process (Applicable to candidates with two years approved family practice residency training)

 A. Each petition for reentry into the certification process must be submitted immediately upon expiration of the initial six year period of board eligibility or upon expiration of the first reentry petition and allows a candidate with approved residency training to pursue certification in family practice for an extended period of up to one year; limited to two examination attempts, from the date of acceptance of the candidate’s petition; however, the candidate is not considered board eligible during that time and verification of such status will not be provided to the candidate.

 B. The applicant’s petition must contain evidence of meeting the following requirements in addition to submitting the required application and supporting documents.

 1) Valid and unrestricted licensure in all states in which applicant holds a license;

 3) Documentation per AOA Activity Reports of 150 applicable CME hours for the previous three years;

 4) Submit the required examination fee at the time of application.

 C.  After exhausting the above process, the candidate is not eligible to continue the process.

Phone Numbers

Office:
(847) 640-8477

Recorded Information:
(800) 390-5801

E-mail:
aobfp@aobfp.org

Other Important Numbers:

AOA:
(800) 621-1773

ACOFP:
(800) 323-0794