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AOA Communication  |   March 2009
Osteopathic Specialty Board Certification
Ronald E. Ayres, DO; Stephen Scheinthal, DO; Cheryl Gross, MA, CAE; Elaine C. Bell, BA
Author Notes
  • From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Dr Ayres) and Psychiatry (Dr Scheinthal) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, where Dr Scheinthal also serves at the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging. Also from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Department of Education's Division of Certification and Trainee Services (Ms Gross and Ms Bell). Dr Ayres currently serves as chairman of the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists; Dr Scheinthal as vice chairman, and Ms Bell as secretary. 
  • Address correspondence to Department of Education, American Osteopathic Association, 142 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611-2864. 
Article Information
AOA Communication   |   March 2009
Osteopathic Specialty Board Certification
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, March 2009, Vol. 109, 181-190. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2009.109.3.181
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, March 2009, Vol. 109, 181-190. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2009.109.3.181
Abstract

Specialty board certification, though voluntary, has become an indispensable designation for many osteopathic physicians. The authors report rates of osteopathic specialty board certification and recertification. On the recommendation of the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists—and as a result of recent action by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees—a new osteopathic continuous certification model will be used by all 18 member boards. This model firmly establishes osteopathic specialty board certification as an ongoing process that helps to ensure patient health and safety by measuring and monitoring physician competence. In addition, time limits on board eligibility have been established for certification candidates. As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, the American Osteopathic Association, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, and the 18 osteopathic specialty boards continue to adapt to meet the professional needs of osteopathic physicians.

The Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) (previously known as the Advisory Board of Osteopathic Specialists) was established in 1939 by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees (AOA BOT) to assess the skills of osteopathic physicians (DOs) in response to the growth of medical specialization.1 The BOS is the authoritative body that develops, reviews, and enforces all policies and requirements for osteopathic certification as approved by the AOA. The Bureau views the certification process as an assessment tool, a method of enhancing healthcare quality, and a means of protecting the public. 
The AOA has 18 approved specialty certifying boards, each of which elects one representative to the BOS. The American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, the first approved certifying board, was established in 1939. Thereafter, additional certifying osteopathic specialty boards were created in response to the evolving needs of the public and the osteopathic medical profession (Appendix). 
Since 1939, the Bureau has issued a total of 31,562 general, special, and added qualification certifications. 
As of December 31, 2008, a total of 21,472 DOs held AOA certification, representing a combined total of 24,662 active certificates. 
In 2008, a total of 986 certificates were awarded in primary specialty and subspecialty areas (Table 1). In addition, 43 certificates of added qualifications were granted last year (Table 2). Finally, a total of 731 recertifications (ie, general certifications and certificates of added qualifications) were issued during that time by the profession's 18 osteopathic specialty boards (Table 3). 
Table 1
American Osteopathic Association: General Certification Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/General Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 8 (1) 20 (2) 12 (1) 12 (1) 19 (2)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 14 (1) 18 (2) 22 (2) 20 (2) 31 (3)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 104 (10) 120 (12) 118 (9) 119 (12) 144 (15)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine 0 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Family Practice and OMT445 (42)343 (34)391 (30)338 (34)178 (18)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Cardiology26 (2)4 (<1)29 (2)028 (3)
□ Endocrinology 0 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1)
□ Gastroenterology9 (1)3 (<1)12 (1)1 (<1)7 (1)
□ Hematology 2 (<1) 0 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1)
□ Infectious Diseases3 (<1)06 (<1)1 (<1)2 (<1)
□ Internal Medicine 118 (11) 155 (15) 259 (20) 58 (6) 169 (17)
□ Nephrology7 (1)3 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)
□ Oncology 4 (<1) 5 (<1) 7 (1) 2 (<1) 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases6 (1)5 (<1)5 (<1)3 (<1)8 (1)
□ Rheumatology 3 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 0 2 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child Neurology 0 0 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Child Psychiatry04 (<1)2 (<1)3 (<1)0
□ Neurology 10 (1) 1 (<1) 20 (2) 0 14 (1)
□ Psychiatry6 (1)11 (1)8 (1)4 (<1)10 (1)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM28 (3)62 (6)110 (8)43 (4)13 (1)
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology1 (<1)1 (<1)01 (<1)0
□ Maternal and Fetal Medicine 0 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1)
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology36 (3)50 (5)85 (6)85 (9)85 (9)
□ Reproductive Endocrinology 0 2 (<1) 0 0 0
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology10 (1)10 (1)11 (1)11 (1)6 (1)
□ Otolaryngology 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery9 (1)27 (3)11 (1)20 (2)17 (2)
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery 72 (7) 55 (5) 45 (3) 67 (7) 51 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology 0 0 0 0 0
□ Anatomic Pathology001 (<1)00
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Forensic Pathology00000
□ Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 0 0 0 2 (<1) 0
□ Pediatric Pulmonology0002 (<1)0
□ Pediatrics 17 (2) 18 (2) 25 (2) 50 (5) 22 (2)
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine 31 (3) 1 (<1) 6 (<1) 6 (1) 6 (1)
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 6 (1) 1 (<1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health2 (<1)02 (<1)6 (1)0
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational and Environmental) 1 (<1) 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1)
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1) 0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 28 (3) 19 (2) 29 (2) 26 (3) 28 (3)
□ Radiation Oncology01 (<1)3 (<1)01 (<1)
□ Radiology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular Surgery 8 (1) 7 (1) 7 (1) 3 (<1) 5 (1)
□ Neurological Surgery4 (<1)3 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)10 (1)
□ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 3 (1) 5 (1)
□ Surgery (General)39 (4)39 (4)53 (4)61 (6)94 (10)
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Urological Surgery 2 (<1)
 5 (<1)
 4 (<1)
 13 (1)
 16 (2)
Total 1059 1003 1308 984 986
 Abbreviations: OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
View Large
Table 1
American Osteopathic Association: General Certification Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/General Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 8 (1) 20 (2) 12 (1) 12 (1) 19 (2)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 14 (1) 18 (2) 22 (2) 20 (2) 31 (3)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 104 (10) 120 (12) 118 (9) 119 (12) 144 (15)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine 0 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Family Practice and OMT445 (42)343 (34)391 (30)338 (34)178 (18)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Cardiology26 (2)4 (<1)29 (2)028 (3)
□ Endocrinology 0 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1)
□ Gastroenterology9 (1)3 (<1)12 (1)1 (<1)7 (1)
□ Hematology 2 (<1) 0 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1)
□ Infectious Diseases3 (<1)06 (<1)1 (<1)2 (<1)
□ Internal Medicine 118 (11) 155 (15) 259 (20) 58 (6) 169 (17)
□ Nephrology7 (1)3 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)
□ Oncology 4 (<1) 5 (<1) 7 (1) 2 (<1) 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases6 (1)5 (<1)5 (<1)3 (<1)8 (1)
□ Rheumatology 3 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 0 2 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child Neurology 0 0 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Child Psychiatry04 (<1)2 (<1)3 (<1)0
□ Neurology 10 (1) 1 (<1) 20 (2) 0 14 (1)
□ Psychiatry6 (1)11 (1)8 (1)4 (<1)10 (1)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM28 (3)62 (6)110 (8)43 (4)13 (1)
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology1 (<1)1 (<1)01 (<1)0
□ Maternal and Fetal Medicine 0 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1)
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology36 (3)50 (5)85 (6)85 (9)85 (9)
□ Reproductive Endocrinology 0 2 (<1) 0 0 0
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology10 (1)10 (1)11 (1)11 (1)6 (1)
□ Otolaryngology 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery9 (1)27 (3)11 (1)20 (2)17 (2)
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery 72 (7) 55 (5) 45 (3) 67 (7) 51 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology 0 0 0 0 0
□ Anatomic Pathology001 (<1)00
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Forensic Pathology00000
□ Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 0 0 0 2 (<1) 0
□ Pediatric Pulmonology0002 (<1)0
□ Pediatrics 17 (2) 18 (2) 25 (2) 50 (5) 22 (2)
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine 31 (3) 1 (<1) 6 (<1) 6 (1) 6 (1)
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 6 (1) 1 (<1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health2 (<1)02 (<1)6 (1)0
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational and Environmental) 1 (<1) 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1)
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1) 0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 28 (3) 19 (2) 29 (2) 26 (3) 28 (3)
□ Radiation Oncology01 (<1)3 (<1)01 (<1)
□ Radiology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular Surgery 8 (1) 7 (1) 7 (1) 3 (<1) 5 (1)
□ Neurological Surgery4 (<1)3 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)10 (1)
□ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 3 (1) 5 (1)
□ Surgery (General)39 (4)39 (4)53 (4)61 (6)94 (10)
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Urological Surgery 2 (<1)
 5 (<1)
 4 (<1)
 13 (1)
 16 (2)
Total 1059 1003 1308 984 986
 Abbreviations: OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
×
Table 2
American Osteopathic Association: Certification of Added Qualifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Critical Care Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Pain Management1 (2)02 (2)03 (7)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatopathology001 (1)01 (2)
□ Mohs Micrographic Surgery 0 0 0 0 2 (5)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medical Services 1 (2) 0 1 (1) 0 0
□ Medical Toxicology0004 (11)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (2)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Addiction Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine00000
□ Geriatrics 2 (4) 6 (17) 6 (7) 5 (14) 5 (12)
□ Sports Medicine13 (26)1 (3)16 (18)7 (19)9 (21)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Addiction Medicine00000
□ Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology 1 (2) 0 4 (4) 0 3 (7)
□ Critical Care Medicine010 (29)7 (8)3 (8)0
□ Geriatric Medicine 4 (8) 0 4 (4) 0 0
□ Interventional Cardiology12 (24)2 (6)36 (40)2 (6)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Nuclear MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Addiction Medicine1 (2)0000
□ Neurophysiology 0 0 1 (1) 2 (6) 3 (7)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Otolaryngic Allergy 0 3 (9) 1 (1) 0 0
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Hand Surgery 0 2 (6) 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Dermatopathology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ PediatricsNANANANANA
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Sports Medicine01 (3)000
□ Sports Medicine with Special Proficiency in OMM 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational) 6 (12) 3 (9) 2 (2) 4 (11) 3 (7)
□ Sports Medicine00000
▪ ProctologyNANANANANA
▪ Radiology
□ Body Imaging001 (1)00
□ Neuroradiology 2 (4) 4 (11) 0 1 (3) 3 (7)
□ Nuclear Radiology00000
□ Pediatric Radiology 0 0 1 (1) 3 (8) 2 (5)
□ Vascular and Interventional Radiology4 (8)2 (6)2 (2)1 (3)0
▪ Surgery
□ Surgical Critical Care 3 (6)
 1 (3)
 5 (6)
 0
 4 (9)
Total 50 35 90 36 43
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, no Certification of Added Qualifications is offered through this certifying board); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
View Large
Table 2
American Osteopathic Association: Certification of Added Qualifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Critical Care Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Pain Management1 (2)02 (2)03 (7)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatopathology001 (1)01 (2)
□ Mohs Micrographic Surgery 0 0 0 0 2 (5)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medical Services 1 (2) 0 1 (1) 0 0
□ Medical Toxicology0004 (11)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (2)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Addiction Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine00000
□ Geriatrics 2 (4) 6 (17) 6 (7) 5 (14) 5 (12)
□ Sports Medicine13 (26)1 (3)16 (18)7 (19)9 (21)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Addiction Medicine00000
□ Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology 1 (2) 0 4 (4) 0 3 (7)
□ Critical Care Medicine010 (29)7 (8)3 (8)0
□ Geriatric Medicine 4 (8) 0 4 (4) 0 0
□ Interventional Cardiology12 (24)2 (6)36 (40)2 (6)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Nuclear MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Addiction Medicine1 (2)0000
□ Neurophysiology 0 0 1 (1) 2 (6) 3 (7)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Otolaryngic Allergy 0 3 (9) 1 (1) 0 0
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Hand Surgery 0 2 (6) 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Dermatopathology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ PediatricsNANANANANA
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Sports Medicine01 (3)000
□ Sports Medicine with Special Proficiency in OMM 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational) 6 (12) 3 (9) 2 (2) 4 (11) 3 (7)
□ Sports Medicine00000
▪ ProctologyNANANANANA
▪ Radiology
□ Body Imaging001 (1)00
□ Neuroradiology 2 (4) 4 (11) 0 1 (3) 3 (7)
□ Nuclear Radiology00000
□ Pediatric Radiology 0 0 1 (1) 3 (8) 2 (5)
□ Vascular and Interventional Radiology4 (8)2 (6)2 (2)1 (3)0
▪ Surgery
□ Surgical Critical Care 3 (6)
 1 (3)
 5 (6)
 0
 4 (9)
Total 50 35 90 36 43
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, no Certification of Added Qualifications is offered through this certifying board); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
×
Table 3
American Osteopathic Association: Recertifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Recertification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 32 (11) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 0
CAQ
- Critical Care Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
- Pain ManagementNANANANANA
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
- Dermatopathology NA NA NA 3 (<1) 0
- Mohs Micrographic SurgeryNANA4 (<1)00
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 21 (7) 29 (6) 63 (8) 59 (5) 183 (25)
CAQ
- Emergency Medical Services NA NA 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
- Medical ToxicologyNANANANANA
- Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Family Practice and OMT41 (14)229 (47)435 (53)971 (77)200 (27)
□ Geriatric Medicine 0 2 (<1) 47 (6) 24 (2) 6 (1)
CAQ
- Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA 0
- Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine0001 (<1)0
- Geriatrics NA NA NA NA NA
- Sports Medicine05 (1)17 (2)5 (<1)8 (1)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Allergy and Immunology 2 (1) 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Cardiology8 (3)23 (5)12 (1)19 (1)0
□ Endocrinology 3 (1) 3 (1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Gastroenterology8 (3)12 (2)10 (1)9 (1)0
□ Hematology 1 (<1) 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0
□ Infectious Diseases3 (1)1 (<1)2 (<1)2 (<1)0
□ Internal Medicine 83 (29) 71 (14) 84 (10) 17 (1) 174 (24)
□ Nephrology04 (1)3 (<1)3 (<1)3 (<1)
□ Oncology 0 5 (1) 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases9 (3)5 (1)6 (1)8 (1)0
□ Rheumatology 3 (1) 2 (<1) 4 (<1) 0 0
CAQ
— Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
— Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology03 (1)5 (1)3 (<1)0
— Critical Care Medicine 3 (1) 12 (2) 12 (1) 8 (1) 0
— Geriatric Medicine7 (2)6 (1)11 (1)3 (<1)0
— Interventional Cardiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Sports Medicine001 (<1)01 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (<1)
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child NeurologyNANANANANA
□ Child Psychiatry NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
□ Neurology†NANA2 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)
□ Neurology and Psychiatry† 0 0 NA NA NA
□ Psychiatry†NANA4 (<1)13 (1)0
CAQ
— Addiction MedicineNANANA3 (<1)1 (<1)
— Neurophysiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM3 (1)19 (4)13 (2)14 (1)6 (1)
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Maternal and Fetal MedicineNANANANANA
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology 0 0 2 (< 1) 0 30 (4)
□ Reproductive EndocrinologyNANANANANA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Ophthalmology† NA 1 (< 1) 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology†0NANANANA
□ Otolaryngology† NA 0 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery NA NA NA NA 0
CAQ
— Otolaryngic Allergy NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery34 (12)47 (10)29 (4)38 (3)0
CAQ
— Hand SurgeryNANA7 (1)03 (< 1)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Anatomic Pathology†NANANA2 (< 1)0
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine† NA NA 1 (< 1) NA NA
□ Forensic PathologyNANANANANA
□ Laboratory Medicine† NA NA NA 2 (< 1) 0
□ Pathology00000
CAQ
— DermatopathologyNANANA1 (< 1)0
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 2 (1) 0 0 0 0
□ Pediatric Allergy ImmunologyNANA1 (< 1)00
□ Pediatric Endocrinology NA NA 2 (< 1) 0 0
□ Pediatric PulmonologyNANANANANA
□ Pediatrics 9 (3) 1 (< 1) 10 (1) 14 (1) 0
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine01 (< 1)6 (1)00
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health00000
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational-Environmental Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (< 1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine01 (< 1)000
CAQ
— Occupational Medicine4 (1)006 (< 1)1 (< 1)
— Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology2 (1)1 (< 1)01 (< 1)0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 7 (2) 3 (1) 10 (1) 5 (<1) 4 (1)
□ Diagnostic RoentgenologyNANANANA0
□ Radiation Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ RadiologyNANANANANA
CAQ
— Neuroradiology2 (1)0000
— Nuclear Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Pediatric RadiologyNANANANANA
— Vascular and Interventional Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular SurgeryNANANANA1 (< 1)
□ Neurological Surgery NA NA NA NA NA
□ Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Surgery (General) 0 0 1 (< 1) 0 0
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryNANANA1 (< 1)0
□ Urological Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
— Surgical Critical Care NA
 NA
 NA
 1 (< 1)
 0
Total 288 491 823 1267 731
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, recertification not offered in year indicated) or not available (ie, see †); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Recertification data for General Certification and Certification of Added Qualifications (CAQ) are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008). As of January 1, 2004, all 18 member boards had a time-limited certificate in place (ie, all new certificates are issued with an expiration date).2 Certificates issued before the time-limite requirement was instituted, however, are valid for the life of the physician.
 †Reports published in previous editions of The Journal's Osteopathic Medical Education issue3 combined Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under a single heading for recertification statistics. They have been separated here. Likewise, previous reports combined Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology as well as Neurology and Psychiatry under single headings. Beginning with the data reported for 2005 and 2006, respectively, these numbers were likewise separated.
View Large
Table 3
American Osteopathic Association: Recertifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Recertification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 32 (11) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 0
CAQ
- Critical Care Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
- Pain ManagementNANANANANA
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
- Dermatopathology NA NA NA 3 (<1) 0
- Mohs Micrographic SurgeryNANA4 (<1)00
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 21 (7) 29 (6) 63 (8) 59 (5) 183 (25)
CAQ
- Emergency Medical Services NA NA 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
- Medical ToxicologyNANANANANA
- Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Family Practice and OMT41 (14)229 (47)435 (53)971 (77)200 (27)
□ Geriatric Medicine 0 2 (<1) 47 (6) 24 (2) 6 (1)
CAQ
- Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA 0
- Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine0001 (<1)0
- Geriatrics NA NA NA NA NA
- Sports Medicine05 (1)17 (2)5 (<1)8 (1)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Allergy and Immunology 2 (1) 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Cardiology8 (3)23 (5)12 (1)19 (1)0
□ Endocrinology 3 (1) 3 (1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Gastroenterology8 (3)12 (2)10 (1)9 (1)0
□ Hematology 1 (<1) 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0
□ Infectious Diseases3 (1)1 (<1)2 (<1)2 (<1)0
□ Internal Medicine 83 (29) 71 (14) 84 (10) 17 (1) 174 (24)
□ Nephrology04 (1)3 (<1)3 (<1)3 (<1)
□ Oncology 0 5 (1) 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases9 (3)5 (1)6 (1)8 (1)0
□ Rheumatology 3 (1) 2 (<1) 4 (<1) 0 0
CAQ
— Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
— Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology03 (1)5 (1)3 (<1)0
— Critical Care Medicine 3 (1) 12 (2) 12 (1) 8 (1) 0
— Geriatric Medicine7 (2)6 (1)11 (1)3 (<1)0
— Interventional Cardiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Sports Medicine001 (<1)01 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (<1)
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child NeurologyNANANANANA
□ Child Psychiatry NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
□ Neurology†NANA2 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)
□ Neurology and Psychiatry† 0 0 NA NA NA
□ Psychiatry†NANA4 (<1)13 (1)0
CAQ
— Addiction MedicineNANANA3 (<1)1 (<1)
— Neurophysiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM3 (1)19 (4)13 (2)14 (1)6 (1)
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Maternal and Fetal MedicineNANANANANA
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology 0 0 2 (< 1) 0 30 (4)
□ Reproductive EndocrinologyNANANANANA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Ophthalmology† NA 1 (< 1) 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology†0NANANANA
□ Otolaryngology† NA 0 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery NA NA NA NA 0
CAQ
— Otolaryngic Allergy NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery34 (12)47 (10)29 (4)38 (3)0
CAQ
— Hand SurgeryNANA7 (1)03 (< 1)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Anatomic Pathology†NANANA2 (< 1)0
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine† NA NA 1 (< 1) NA NA
□ Forensic PathologyNANANANANA
□ Laboratory Medicine† NA NA NA 2 (< 1) 0
□ Pathology00000
CAQ
— DermatopathologyNANANA1 (< 1)0
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 2 (1) 0 0 0 0
□ Pediatric Allergy ImmunologyNANA1 (< 1)00
□ Pediatric Endocrinology NA NA 2 (< 1) 0 0
□ Pediatric PulmonologyNANANANANA
□ Pediatrics 9 (3) 1 (< 1) 10 (1) 14 (1) 0
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine01 (< 1)6 (1)00
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health00000
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational-Environmental Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (< 1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine01 (< 1)000
CAQ
— Occupational Medicine4 (1)006 (< 1)1 (< 1)
— Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology2 (1)1 (< 1)01 (< 1)0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 7 (2) 3 (1) 10 (1) 5 (<1) 4 (1)
□ Diagnostic RoentgenologyNANANANA0
□ Radiation Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ RadiologyNANANANANA
CAQ
— Neuroradiology2 (1)0000
— Nuclear Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Pediatric RadiologyNANANANANA
— Vascular and Interventional Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular SurgeryNANANANA1 (< 1)
□ Neurological Surgery NA NA NA NA NA
□ Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Surgery (General) 0 0 1 (< 1) 0 0
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryNANANA1 (< 1)0
□ Urological Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
— Surgical Critical Care NA
 NA
 NA
 1 (< 1)
 0
Total 288 491 823 1267 731
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, recertification not offered in year indicated) or not available (ie, see †); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Recertification data for General Certification and Certification of Added Qualifications (CAQ) are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008). As of January 1, 2004, all 18 member boards had a time-limited certificate in place (ie, all new certificates are issued with an expiration date).2 Certificates issued before the time-limite requirement was instituted, however, are valid for the life of the physician.
 †Reports published in previous editions of The Journal's Osteopathic Medical Education issue3 combined Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under a single heading for recertification statistics. They have been separated here. Likewise, previous reports combined Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology as well as Neurology and Psychiatry under single headings. Beginning with the data reported for 2005 and 2006, respectively, these numbers were likewise separated.
×
New Time Limits for Osteopathic Specialty Board Eligibility
As a next step in the evolution of the model of osteopathic specialty board certification,4 the BOS updated the osteopathic specialty board eligibility requirement. Previously, guidelines allowed certification candidates to pursue this credential indefinitely. 
This policy, among others, has been modified as a result of “the quality movement” that has emerged in the past decade.4 
In the past year, based largely on the initiative of several member boards—and in their ongoing efforts to protect patients—the BOS took steps to establish time limits on board eligibility. 
Last February, the BOT approved Resolution B28 (M/2008), Amendment to Board Eligibility Requirement for AOA Board Certification (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res28.pdf). This new policy limits to 6 years the amount of time a physician is considered eligible for osteopathic board certification. 
Candidates who do not complete the certification process within that amount of time have the option to petition their certifying board for one-time reentry into the certification process, however. If the board grants the physician reentry in the certification process, the candidate would then start at the beginning of the process with the next available examination administration. 
Certification candidates are allowed a total of two attempts to pass each step of the examination process. If the candidate fails during any step of the examination process, he or she may then again petition the specialty board for reentry. However, with this reentry, the board will establish criteria that must be met before granting permission for the candidate to reenter the process. All such criteria must be submitted and approved by the BOS Standards Review Committee and the candidate must follow the same steps as outlined in the previous reentry process. If the candidate is unsuccessful in this attempt, he or she will have no further opportunity to become osteopathic specialty board certified. Individuals who wish to file an appeal may do so using the standard BOS appeals process. 
The effective date, July 1, 2009, for this amended board eligibility process was established last July with BOT approval of Resolution 44 (A/2008), Amendment to Board Eligibility Requirement for AOA Board Certification (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_hod08res44.pdf). Candidates currently in the certification process will not be affected by this policy revision. For more information, see http://www.do-online.org/index.cfm?PageID=crt_brdeligible. 
Osteopathic Continuous Certification Update
To ensure that AOA board–certified physicians are current with the latest advances in medicine, AOA specialty certifying boards have long mandated that board-certified physicians meet continuing medical education (CME) requirements. Certificate holders have been required to complete at least 50 credit hours in their respective specialties for each 3-year CME cycle.5 
In addition, last February, the BOT formally accepted the osteopathic continuous certification model (Figure) through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf). All certifying boards are required to submit their implementation plans for BOS approval by April 2010. As stated in the resolution's name, pending BOS approval, full implementation of this model must be achieved by all osteopathic certifying boards by 2012. 
Conclusion
Just as the AOA's certification program responded to the needs of osteopathic physicians in its early days, it continues to respond to the needs of the osteopathic medical profession and to support patient health and safety. Osteopathic board certification will undoubtedly continue to adapt to the changes of the healthcare environment while also providing a valuable mechanism to help assess ongoing physician competence. 
Figure.
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
View Original  |  Slide (.ppt)
Figure.
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
View Original  |  Slide (.ppt)
4  
Appendix
The American Osteopathic Association's 18 approved certifying specialty boards by year founded. *From 1940 through 1996, the American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology. †The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Rehabilitation Medicine from 1954 through to 2001. ‡The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology was formerly under the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, as was the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. §The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians was known as the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice from 1972 through 1993. ∥The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine was originally known as the American Osteopathic Board on Fellowship of the American Academy of Osteopathy from 1977 through 1990. Then, from 1990 to 1999, they were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. In 1982 and 1983, the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
▪ 1939
□ American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
▪ 1940
□ American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
□ American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology*
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics
▪ 1941
□ American Osteopathic Board of Proctology
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
▪ 1942
□ American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
□ American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
▪ 1943
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
▪ 1945
□ American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
▪ 1954
□ American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation†
▪ 1956
□ American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology‡
▪ 1972
□ American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians§
▪ 1974
□ American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine
▪ 1977
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine∥
▪ 1978
□ American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery‡
▪ 1980
□ American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine
▪ 1982
□ American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine
View Large
Appendix
The American Osteopathic Association's 18 approved certifying specialty boards by year founded. *From 1940 through 1996, the American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology. †The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Rehabilitation Medicine from 1954 through to 2001. ‡The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology was formerly under the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, as was the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. §The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians was known as the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice from 1972 through 1993. ∥The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine was originally known as the American Osteopathic Board on Fellowship of the American Academy of Osteopathy from 1977 through 1990. Then, from 1990 to 1999, they were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. In 1982 and 1983, the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
▪ 1939
□ American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
▪ 1940
□ American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
□ American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology*
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics
▪ 1941
□ American Osteopathic Board of Proctology
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
▪ 1942
□ American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
□ American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
▪ 1943
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
▪ 1945
□ American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
▪ 1954
□ American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation†
▪ 1956
□ American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology‡
▪ 1972
□ American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians§
▪ 1974
□ American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine
▪ 1977
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine∥
▪ 1978
□ American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery‡
▪ 1980
□ American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine
▪ 1982
□ American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine
×
American Osteopathic Association. Handbook of the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists. Chicago, Ill: American Osteopathic Association; 2007.
About ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) page. American Board of Medical Specialties Web site. Available at: http://www.abms.org/Maintenance_of_Certification/. Accessed March 4, 2009.
Ramirez AF, Bell EC. Osteopathic specialty board certification. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2007;107:117-125. Available at: http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/107/3/117. Accessed March 4, 2009.
Ayres RE, Scheinthal S, Ramirez AF, Bell EC. Osteopathic certification evolving into a continuous certification model. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2008;108:159-165. Available at: http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/108/3/159. Accessed March 4, 2009.
Rodgers DJ. AOA continuing medical education. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2009;109:160-179. Available at: http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/109/3/160.
Figure.
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
View Original  |  Slide (.ppt)
Figure.
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
The four components of the osteopathic continuous certification model4 approved last year by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees through Resolution 23 (M/2008), Implementation of Osteopathic Continuous Certification Process by 2012 (https://www.do-online.org/pdf/cal_midyr08res23.pdf).
View Original  |  Slide (.ppt)
Table 1
American Osteopathic Association: General Certification Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/General Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 8 (1) 20 (2) 12 (1) 12 (1) 19 (2)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 14 (1) 18 (2) 22 (2) 20 (2) 31 (3)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 104 (10) 120 (12) 118 (9) 119 (12) 144 (15)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine 0 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Family Practice and OMT445 (42)343 (34)391 (30)338 (34)178 (18)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Cardiology26 (2)4 (<1)29 (2)028 (3)
□ Endocrinology 0 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1)
□ Gastroenterology9 (1)3 (<1)12 (1)1 (<1)7 (1)
□ Hematology 2 (<1) 0 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1)
□ Infectious Diseases3 (<1)06 (<1)1 (<1)2 (<1)
□ Internal Medicine 118 (11) 155 (15) 259 (20) 58 (6) 169 (17)
□ Nephrology7 (1)3 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)
□ Oncology 4 (<1) 5 (<1) 7 (1) 2 (<1) 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases6 (1)5 (<1)5 (<1)3 (<1)8 (1)
□ Rheumatology 3 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 0 2 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child Neurology 0 0 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Child Psychiatry04 (<1)2 (<1)3 (<1)0
□ Neurology 10 (1) 1 (<1) 20 (2) 0 14 (1)
□ Psychiatry6 (1)11 (1)8 (1)4 (<1)10 (1)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM28 (3)62 (6)110 (8)43 (4)13 (1)
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology1 (<1)1 (<1)01 (<1)0
□ Maternal and Fetal Medicine 0 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1)
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology36 (3)50 (5)85 (6)85 (9)85 (9)
□ Reproductive Endocrinology 0 2 (<1) 0 0 0
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology10 (1)10 (1)11 (1)11 (1)6 (1)
□ Otolaryngology 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery9 (1)27 (3)11 (1)20 (2)17 (2)
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery 72 (7) 55 (5) 45 (3) 67 (7) 51 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology 0 0 0 0 0
□ Anatomic Pathology001 (<1)00
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Forensic Pathology00000
□ Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 0 0 0 2 (<1) 0
□ Pediatric Pulmonology0002 (<1)0
□ Pediatrics 17 (2) 18 (2) 25 (2) 50 (5) 22 (2)
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine 31 (3) 1 (<1) 6 (<1) 6 (1) 6 (1)
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 6 (1) 1 (<1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health2 (<1)02 (<1)6 (1)0
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational and Environmental) 1 (<1) 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1)
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1) 0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 28 (3) 19 (2) 29 (2) 26 (3) 28 (3)
□ Radiation Oncology01 (<1)3 (<1)01 (<1)
□ Radiology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular Surgery 8 (1) 7 (1) 7 (1) 3 (<1) 5 (1)
□ Neurological Surgery4 (<1)3 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)10 (1)
□ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 3 (1) 5 (1)
□ Surgery (General)39 (4)39 (4)53 (4)61 (6)94 (10)
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Urological Surgery 2 (<1)
 5 (<1)
 4 (<1)
 13 (1)
 16 (2)
Total 1059 1003 1308 984 986
 Abbreviations: OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
View Large
Table 1
American Osteopathic Association: General Certification Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/General Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 8 (1) 20 (2) 12 (1) 12 (1) 19 (2)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 14 (1) 18 (2) 22 (2) 20 (2) 31 (3)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 104 (10) 120 (12) 118 (9) 119 (12) 144 (15)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine 0 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Family Practice and OMT445 (42)343 (34)391 (30)338 (34)178 (18)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Cardiology26 (2)4 (<1)29 (2)028 (3)
□ Endocrinology 0 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1)
□ Gastroenterology9 (1)3 (<1)12 (1)1 (<1)7 (1)
□ Hematology 2 (<1) 0 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1)
□ Infectious Diseases3 (<1)06 (<1)1 (<1)2 (<1)
□ Internal Medicine 118 (11) 155 (15) 259 (20) 58 (6) 169 (17)
□ Nephrology7 (1)3 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)4 (<1)
□ Oncology 4 (<1) 5 (<1) 7 (1) 2 (<1) 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases6 (1)5 (<1)5 (<1)3 (<1)8 (1)
□ Rheumatology 3 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 0 2 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child Neurology 0 0 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Child Psychiatry04 (<1)2 (<1)3 (<1)0
□ Neurology 10 (1) 1 (<1) 20 (2) 0 14 (1)
□ Psychiatry6 (1)11 (1)8 (1)4 (<1)10 (1)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM28 (3)62 (6)110 (8)43 (4)13 (1)
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology1 (<1)1 (<1)01 (<1)0
□ Maternal and Fetal Medicine 0 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1)
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology36 (3)50 (5)85 (6)85 (9)85 (9)
□ Reproductive Endocrinology 0 2 (<1) 0 0 0
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology10 (1)10 (1)11 (1)11 (1)6 (1)
□ Otolaryngology 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery9 (1)27 (3)11 (1)20 (2)17 (2)
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery 72 (7) 55 (5) 45 (3) 67 (7) 51 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology 0 0 0 0 0
□ Anatomic Pathology001 (<1)00
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Forensic Pathology00000
□ Laboratory Medicine 0 0 0 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 0 0 0 2 (<1) 0
□ Pediatric Pulmonology0002 (<1)0
□ Pediatrics 17 (2) 18 (2) 25 (2) 50 (5) 22 (2)
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine 31 (3) 1 (<1) 6 (<1) 6 (1) 6 (1)
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 6 (1) 1 (<1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health2 (<1)02 (<1)6 (1)0
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational and Environmental) 1 (<1) 5 (<1) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1)
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology 1 (<1) 0 0 2 (<1) 0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 28 (3) 19 (2) 29 (2) 26 (3) 28 (3)
□ Radiation Oncology01 (<1)3 (<1)01 (<1)
□ Radiology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular Surgery 8 (1) 7 (1) 7 (1) 3 (<1) 5 (1)
□ Neurological Surgery4 (<1)3 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)10 (1)
□ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 3 (1) 5 (1)
□ Surgery (General)39 (4)39 (4)53 (4)61 (6)94 (10)
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Urological Surgery 2 (<1)
 5 (<1)
 4 (<1)
 13 (1)
 16 (2)
Total 1059 1003 1308 984 986
 Abbreviations: OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
×
Table 2
American Osteopathic Association: Certification of Added Qualifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Critical Care Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Pain Management1 (2)02 (2)03 (7)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatopathology001 (1)01 (2)
□ Mohs Micrographic Surgery 0 0 0 0 2 (5)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medical Services 1 (2) 0 1 (1) 0 0
□ Medical Toxicology0004 (11)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (2)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Addiction Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine00000
□ Geriatrics 2 (4) 6 (17) 6 (7) 5 (14) 5 (12)
□ Sports Medicine13 (26)1 (3)16 (18)7 (19)9 (21)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Addiction Medicine00000
□ Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology 1 (2) 0 4 (4) 0 3 (7)
□ Critical Care Medicine010 (29)7 (8)3 (8)0
□ Geriatric Medicine 4 (8) 0 4 (4) 0 0
□ Interventional Cardiology12 (24)2 (6)36 (40)2 (6)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Nuclear MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Addiction Medicine1 (2)0000
□ Neurophysiology 0 0 1 (1) 2 (6) 3 (7)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Otolaryngic Allergy 0 3 (9) 1 (1) 0 0
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Hand Surgery 0 2 (6) 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Dermatopathology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ PediatricsNANANANANA
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Sports Medicine01 (3)000
□ Sports Medicine with Special Proficiency in OMM 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational) 6 (12) 3 (9) 2 (2) 4 (11) 3 (7)
□ Sports Medicine00000
▪ ProctologyNANANANANA
▪ Radiology
□ Body Imaging001 (1)00
□ Neuroradiology 2 (4) 4 (11) 0 1 (3) 3 (7)
□ Nuclear Radiology00000
□ Pediatric Radiology 0 0 1 (1) 3 (8) 2 (5)
□ Vascular and Interventional Radiology4 (8)2 (6)2 (2)1 (3)0
▪ Surgery
□ Surgical Critical Care 3 (6)
 1 (3)
 5 (6)
 0
 4 (9)
Total 50 35 90 36 43
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, no Certification of Added Qualifications is offered through this certifying board); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
View Large
Table 2
American Osteopathic Association: Certification of Added Qualifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Certification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Critical Care Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Pain Management1 (2)02 (2)03 (7)
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatopathology001 (1)01 (2)
□ Mohs Micrographic Surgery 0 0 0 0 2 (5)
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medical Services 1 (2) 0 1 (1) 0 0
□ Medical Toxicology0004 (11)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (2)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Addiction Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine00000
□ Geriatrics 2 (4) 6 (17) 6 (7) 5 (14) 5 (12)
□ Sports Medicine13 (26)1 (3)16 (18)7 (19)9 (21)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Addiction Medicine00000
□ Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology 1 (2) 0 4 (4) 0 3 (7)
□ Critical Care Medicine010 (29)7 (8)3 (8)0
□ Geriatric Medicine 4 (8) 0 4 (4) 0 0
□ Interventional Cardiology12 (24)2 (6)36 (40)2 (6)0
□ Sports Medicine 0 0 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Nuclear MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Addiction Medicine1 (2)0000
□ Neurophysiology 0 0 1 (1) 2 (6) 3 (7)
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Otolaryngic Allergy 0 3 (9) 1 (1) 0 0
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Hand Surgery 0 2 (6) 0 2 (6) 2 (5)
▪ Pathology
□ Dermatopathology 0 0 0 0 0
▪ PediatricsNANANANANA
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Sports Medicine01 (3)000
□ Sports Medicine with Special Proficiency in OMM 0 0 0 0 0
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine (Occupational) 6 (12) 3 (9) 2 (2) 4 (11) 3 (7)
□ Sports Medicine00000
▪ ProctologyNANANANANA
▪ Radiology
□ Body Imaging001 (1)00
□ Neuroradiology 2 (4) 4 (11) 0 1 (3) 3 (7)
□ Nuclear Radiology00000
□ Pediatric Radiology 0 0 1 (1) 3 (8) 2 (5)
□ Vascular and Interventional Radiology4 (8)2 (6)2 (2)1 (3)0
▪ Surgery
□ Surgical Critical Care 3 (6)
 1 (3)
 5 (6)
 0
 4 (9)
Total 50 35 90 36 43
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, no Certification of Added Qualifications is offered through this certifying board); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine.
 *Data are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008).
×
Table 3
American Osteopathic Association: Recertifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Recertification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 32 (11) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 0
CAQ
- Critical Care Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
- Pain ManagementNANANANANA
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
- Dermatopathology NA NA NA 3 (<1) 0
- Mohs Micrographic SurgeryNANA4 (<1)00
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 21 (7) 29 (6) 63 (8) 59 (5) 183 (25)
CAQ
- Emergency Medical Services NA NA 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
- Medical ToxicologyNANANANANA
- Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Family Practice and OMT41 (14)229 (47)435 (53)971 (77)200 (27)
□ Geriatric Medicine 0 2 (<1) 47 (6) 24 (2) 6 (1)
CAQ
- Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA 0
- Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine0001 (<1)0
- Geriatrics NA NA NA NA NA
- Sports Medicine05 (1)17 (2)5 (<1)8 (1)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Allergy and Immunology 2 (1) 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Cardiology8 (3)23 (5)12 (1)19 (1)0
□ Endocrinology 3 (1) 3 (1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Gastroenterology8 (3)12 (2)10 (1)9 (1)0
□ Hematology 1 (<1) 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0
□ Infectious Diseases3 (1)1 (<1)2 (<1)2 (<1)0
□ Internal Medicine 83 (29) 71 (14) 84 (10) 17 (1) 174 (24)
□ Nephrology04 (1)3 (<1)3 (<1)3 (<1)
□ Oncology 0 5 (1) 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases9 (3)5 (1)6 (1)8 (1)0
□ Rheumatology 3 (1) 2 (<1) 4 (<1) 0 0
CAQ
— Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
— Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology03 (1)5 (1)3 (<1)0
— Critical Care Medicine 3 (1) 12 (2) 12 (1) 8 (1) 0
— Geriatric Medicine7 (2)6 (1)11 (1)3 (<1)0
— Interventional Cardiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Sports Medicine001 (<1)01 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (<1)
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child NeurologyNANANANANA
□ Child Psychiatry NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
□ Neurology†NANA2 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)
□ Neurology and Psychiatry† 0 0 NA NA NA
□ Psychiatry†NANA4 (<1)13 (1)0
CAQ
— Addiction MedicineNANANA3 (<1)1 (<1)
— Neurophysiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM3 (1)19 (4)13 (2)14 (1)6 (1)
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Maternal and Fetal MedicineNANANANANA
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology 0 0 2 (< 1) 0 30 (4)
□ Reproductive EndocrinologyNANANANANA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Ophthalmology† NA 1 (< 1) 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology†0NANANANA
□ Otolaryngology† NA 0 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery NA NA NA NA 0
CAQ
— Otolaryngic Allergy NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery34 (12)47 (10)29 (4)38 (3)0
CAQ
— Hand SurgeryNANA7 (1)03 (< 1)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Anatomic Pathology†NANANA2 (< 1)0
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine† NA NA 1 (< 1) NA NA
□ Forensic PathologyNANANANANA
□ Laboratory Medicine† NA NA NA 2 (< 1) 0
□ Pathology00000
CAQ
— DermatopathologyNANANA1 (< 1)0
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 2 (1) 0 0 0 0
□ Pediatric Allergy ImmunologyNANA1 (< 1)00
□ Pediatric Endocrinology NA NA 2 (< 1) 0 0
□ Pediatric PulmonologyNANANANANA
□ Pediatrics 9 (3) 1 (< 1) 10 (1) 14 (1) 0
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine01 (< 1)6 (1)00
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health00000
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational-Environmental Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (< 1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine01 (< 1)000
CAQ
— Occupational Medicine4 (1)006 (< 1)1 (< 1)
— Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology2 (1)1 (< 1)01 (< 1)0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 7 (2) 3 (1) 10 (1) 5 (<1) 4 (1)
□ Diagnostic RoentgenologyNANANANA0
□ Radiation Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ RadiologyNANANANANA
CAQ
— Neuroradiology2 (1)0000
— Nuclear Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Pediatric RadiologyNANANANANA
— Vascular and Interventional Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular SurgeryNANANANA1 (< 1)
□ Neurological Surgery NA NA NA NA NA
□ Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Surgery (General) 0 0 1 (< 1) 0 0
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryNANANA1 (< 1)0
□ Urological Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
— Surgical Critical Care NA
 NA
 NA
 1 (< 1)
 0
Total 288 491 823 1267 731
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, recertification not offered in year indicated) or not available (ie, see †); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Recertification data for General Certification and Certification of Added Qualifications (CAQ) are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008). As of January 1, 2004, all 18 member boards had a time-limited certificate in place (ie, all new certificates are issued with an expiration date).2 Certificates issued before the time-limite requirement was instituted, however, are valid for the life of the physician.
 †Reports published in previous editions of The Journal's Osteopathic Medical Education issue3 combined Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under a single heading for recertification statistics. They have been separated here. Likewise, previous reports combined Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology as well as Neurology and Psychiatry under single headings. Beginning with the data reported for 2005 and 2006, respectively, these numbers were likewise separated.
View Large
Table 3
American Osteopathic Association: Recertifications Awarded by Osteopathic Medical Specialty Boards, 2004-2008 *
Certifying Board/Recertification Awarded
Year
2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
▪ Anesthesiology
□ Anesthesiology 32 (11) 0 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 0
CAQ
- Critical Care Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
- Pain ManagementNANANANANA
▪ Dermatology
□ Dermatology 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
- Dermatopathology NA NA NA 3 (<1) 0
- Mohs Micrographic SurgeryNANA4 (<1)00
▪ Emergency Medicine
□ Emergency Medicine 21 (7) 29 (6) 63 (8) 59 (5) 183 (25)
CAQ
- Emergency Medical Services NA NA 3 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1)
- Medical ToxicologyNANANANANA
- Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
▪ Family Physicians
□ Family Practice and OMT41 (14)229 (47)435 (53)971 (77)200 (27)
□ Geriatric Medicine 0 2 (<1) 47 (6) 24 (2) 6 (1)
CAQ
- Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA 0
- Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine0001 (<1)0
- Geriatrics NA NA NA NA NA
- Sports Medicine05 (1)17 (2)5 (<1)8 (1)
▪ Internal Medicine
□ Allergy and Immunology 2 (1) 0 0 1 (<1) 0
□ Cardiology8 (3)23 (5)12 (1)19 (1)0
□ Endocrinology 3 (1) 3 (1) 2 (<1) 0 0
□ Gastroenterology8 (3)12 (2)10 (1)9 (1)0
□ Hematology 1 (<1) 0 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0
□ Infectious Diseases3 (1)1 (<1)2 (<1)2 (<1)0
□ Internal Medicine 83 (29) 71 (14) 84 (10) 17 (1) 174 (24)
□ Nephrology04 (1)3 (<1)3 (<1)3 (<1)
□ Oncology 0 5 (1) 1 (<1) 0 0
□ Pulmonary Diseases9 (3)5 (1)6 (1)8 (1)0
□ Rheumatology 3 (1) 2 (<1) 4 (<1) 0 0
CAQ
— Addiction Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
— Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology03 (1)5 (1)3 (<1)0
— Critical Care Medicine 3 (1) 12 (2) 12 (1) 8 (1) 0
— Geriatric Medicine7 (2)6 (1)11 (1)3 (<1)0
— Interventional Cardiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Sports Medicine001 (<1)01 (<1)
▪ Nuclear Medicine
□ Nuclear Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (<1)
▪ Neurology and Psychiatry
□ Child NeurologyNANANANANA
□ Child Psychiatry NA NA NA NA 1 (<1)
□ Neurology†NANA2 (<1)6 (<1)5 (1)
□ Neurology and Psychiatry† 0 0 NA NA NA
□ Psychiatry†NANA4 (<1)13 (1)0
CAQ
— Addiction MedicineNANANA3 (<1)1 (<1)
— Neurophysiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
□ Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and OMM3 (1)19 (4)13 (2)14 (1)6 (1)
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Obstetrics and Gynecology
□ Gynecologic Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Maternal and Fetal MedicineNANANANANA
□ Obstetrics and Gynecology 0 0 2 (< 1) 0 30 (4)
□ Reproductive EndocrinologyNANANANANA
▪ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
□ Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Ophthalmology† NA 1 (< 1) 0 0 0
□ Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology†0NANANANA
□ Otolaryngology† NA 0 0 0 0
□ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery NA NA NA NA 0
CAQ
— Otolaryngic Allergy NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Orthopedic Surgery
□ Orthopedic Surgery34 (12)47 (10)29 (4)38 (3)0
CAQ
— Hand SurgeryNANA7 (1)03 (< 1)
▪ Pathology
□ Allergy and Immunology NA NA NA NA NA
□ Anatomic Pathology†NANANA2 (< 1)0
□ Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine† NA NA 1 (< 1) NA NA
□ Forensic PathologyNANANANANA
□ Laboratory Medicine† NA NA NA 2 (< 1) 0
□ Pathology00000
CAQ
— DermatopathologyNANANA1 (< 1)0
▪ Pediatrics
□ Neonatology 2 (1) 0 0 0 0
□ Pediatric Allergy ImmunologyNANA1 (< 1)00
□ Pediatric Endocrinology NA NA 2 (< 1) 0 0
□ Pediatric PulmonologyNANANANANA
□ Pediatrics 9 (3) 1 (< 1) 10 (1) 14 (1) 0
▪ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
□ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine01 (< 1)6 (1)00
CAQ
— Sports MedicineNANANANANA
▪ Preventive Medicine
□ Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine 0 0 0 0 0
□ Preventive Medicine and Public Health00000
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational-Environmental Medicine 0 0 0 0 1 (< 1)
□ Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine01 (< 1)000
CAQ
— Occupational Medicine4 (1)006 (< 1)1 (< 1)
— Sports Medicine NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Proctology
□ Proctology2 (1)1 (< 1)01 (< 1)0
▪ Radiology
□ Diagnostic Radiology 7 (2) 3 (1) 10 (1) 5 (<1) 4 (1)
□ Diagnostic RoentgenologyNANANANA0
□ Radiation Oncology NA NA NA NA NA
□ RadiologyNANANANANA
CAQ
— Neuroradiology2 (1)0000
— Nuclear Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
— Pediatric RadiologyNANANANANA
— Vascular and Interventional Radiology NA NA NA NA NA
▪ Surgery
□ General Vascular SurgeryNANANANA1 (< 1)
□ Neurological Surgery NA NA NA NA NA
□ Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryNANANANANA
□ Surgery (General) 0 0 1 (< 1) 0 0
□ Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryNANANA1 (< 1)0
□ Urological Surgery 0 0 0 0 0
CAQ
— Surgical Critical Care NA
 NA
 NA
 1 (< 1)
 0
Total 288 491 823 1267 731
 Abbreviations: NA, not applicable (ie, recertification not offered in year indicated) or not available (ie, see †); OMM, osteopathic manipulative medicine; OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment.
 *Recertification data for General Certification and Certification of Added Qualifications (CAQ) are presented as No. (%). Some percentages do not total 100 because of rounding. Totals are calculated by date of final approval by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (December 31, 2008). As of January 1, 2004, all 18 member boards had a time-limited certificate in place (ie, all new certificates are issued with an expiration date).2 Certificates issued before the time-limite requirement was instituted, however, are valid for the life of the physician.
 †Reports published in previous editions of The Journal's Osteopathic Medical Education issue3 combined Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine under a single heading for recertification statistics. They have been separated here. Likewise, previous reports combined Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology as well as Neurology and Psychiatry under single headings. Beginning with the data reported for 2005 and 2006, respectively, these numbers were likewise separated.
×
Appendix
The American Osteopathic Association's 18 approved certifying specialty boards by year founded. *From 1940 through 1996, the American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology. †The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Rehabilitation Medicine from 1954 through to 2001. ‡The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology was formerly under the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, as was the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. §The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians was known as the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice from 1972 through 1993. ∥The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine was originally known as the American Osteopathic Board on Fellowship of the American Academy of Osteopathy from 1977 through 1990. Then, from 1990 to 1999, they were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. In 1982 and 1983, the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
▪ 1939
□ American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
▪ 1940
□ American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
□ American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology*
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics
▪ 1941
□ American Osteopathic Board of Proctology
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
▪ 1942
□ American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
□ American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
▪ 1943
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
▪ 1945
□ American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
▪ 1954
□ American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation†
▪ 1956
□ American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology‡
▪ 1972
□ American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians§
▪ 1974
□ American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine
▪ 1977
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine∥
▪ 1978
□ American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery‡
▪ 1980
□ American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine
▪ 1982
□ American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine
View Large
Appendix
The American Osteopathic Association's 18 approved certifying specialty boards by year founded. *From 1940 through 1996, the American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology. †The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Rehabilitation Medicine from 1954 through to 2001. ‡The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology was formerly under the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, as was the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. §The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians was known as the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice from 1972 through 1993. ∥The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine was originally known as the American Osteopathic Board on Fellowship of the American Academy of Osteopathy from 1977 through 1990. Then, from 1990 to 1999, they were known as the American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. In 1982 and 1983, the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine was known as the American Osteopathic Board of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
▪ 1939
□ American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
▪ 1940
□ American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
□ American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology*
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics
▪ 1941
□ American Osteopathic Board of Proctology
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
▪ 1942
□ American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
□ American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
▪ 1943
□ American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
▪ 1945
□ American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
▪ 1954
□ American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation†
▪ 1956
□ American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology‡
▪ 1972
□ American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians§
▪ 1974
□ American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine
▪ 1977
□ American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine∥
▪ 1978
□ American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery‡
▪ 1980
□ American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine
▪ 1982
□ American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine
×