Board certification news Applications open for early entry initial board certification in family medicine Current third-year family medicine residents will be able to take a shorter, less expensive cognitive exam in their final year of training. Oct. 11, 2019Friday AOA Staff Contact AOA Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Third-year family medicine residents can begin the board certification process in February through a new early entry pathway, the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) announced. Participants must complete two osteopathic in-service exams, ISE or ISE+, which are produced and administered by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and take the early entry initial board certification examination in their final year of residency. Exam dates The first early entry initial exams will be held Feb. 29 through March 14, 2020, at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the country. Full eligibility and application information is available here. Because it follows the in-service exams, the early entry exam will contain fewer questions and is priced lower than the traditional cognitive examination for board certification, says Genie James, AOA senior vice president of certifying board services. ‘An important change’ “This is an important change for new physicians that acknowledges the academic rigor of their training programs,” James explains. “A physician’s skills and training are fresh in residency, so the exam is shorter than the traditional assessment, which may be taken years after a physician enters practice.” Candidates may also decide whether to take the optional osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) performance exam to become board certified in osteopathic family medicine and OMT. The OMT performance exam can also be taken at a later date. Deadlines and fees The first deadline to register for the early entry initial certification exam is Jan. 3, 2020. The fee is $400. The final deadline is Jan. 31, 2020; a $100 late fee applies. Candidates are advised to schedule exams as early as possible to ensure a spot is available at the most convenient test center for them. Find more information here. Please direct questions to aobfp@osteopathic.org. More in Training Balancing act: Navigating motherhood in medical school As a second-year medical student and mother of a 2-year-old, I am hoping to share my experience with others who are in my position or thinking about starting a family in medical school. 6 states in 12 months: A guide to life on the road during fourth year Fourth year is what you make it. Rachel Pray, OMS IV, shares how she embraced travel and adventure as much as possible during her fourth year. Previous articleDO becomes chair-elect of the ACGME board of directors Next articleIn Memoriam: Douglas Lee Wood, DO, PhD, former dean of MSUCOM and president of AACOM
Balancing act: Navigating motherhood in medical school As a second-year medical student and mother of a 2-year-old, I am hoping to share my experience with others who are in my position or thinking about starting a family in medical school.
6 states in 12 months: A guide to life on the road during fourth year Fourth year is what you make it. Rachel Pray, OMS IV, shares how she embraced travel and adventure as much as possible during her fourth year.