The purpose of this document is to explain the rationale and the process of Continuous Certification in Emergency Medicine.

The American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) believes certification should be a continuous process rather than an episodic one. To that end, AOBEM created the Continuous Certification in Emergency Medicine (CCEM) to assist physicians in remaining current with standards of practice in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. This process has continual components that occur throughout a ten year cycle. Entry into CCEM begins immediately upon achievement of initial certification in Emergency Medicine through the American Osteopathic Association / AOBEM. As noted below, except for physicians who hold lifetime certification, the CCEM program will also be applicable to currently certified and currently re-certified physicians. This document will explain the process of CCEM. It should be noted that physicians currently certified in emergency medicine by the AOA / AOBEM will not have that status changed. This new process is replacing the current method of re-certification.

For more information regarding the CCEM process,
please download the following document:
CCEM

To print an application for the COLA or FRCE exam,
please download the following document:
COLA exam application
FRCE exam application

Suggested readings for COLA

COLA Testing Center

Frequently Asked Questions

The COLA modules are an important part of the recertification process.  In order to be eligible to sit for the Formal Recertification Exam (FRCE), you must have taken the required number of COLA modules.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

There are only 3 COLA modules available on-line during any year.  Each COLA module is retired after three years on-line.  It is impossible to take a COLA module after it has been removed.  If you have not taken at least 3 COLA modules by December 2008, you will NEVER achieve the number required to sit for the Formal Recertification Examination for the years 2009 to 2013.  The ramifications are severe:  your board certification will expire; and, in order to regain your certification in Emergency Medicine, you will repeat the entire certification process (Part I—written exam, Part II—oral exam, Part III—chart review).

Now is the time to check your certification expiration date and ensure that you are completing the necessary number of COLA modules.  There will be NO EXCEPTIONS!  Do not lose your board certification.