Part 1 Certification Requirements

For full requirements or an application, please download the following documents:

The following eligibility requirements must be met by each candidate seeking examination and certification in Emergency Medicine. These are in accordance with those set forth in the Bylaws of the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine as set forth in Article VII, Sections 1 and 2. All requirements must be completed by application deadline of September 1.

Section 1

To be eligible to receive certification from the AOA through the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine, the applicant must satisfy the following:

  1. Be a graduate of an AOA accredited college of Osteopathic Medicine.
  2. Possess a valid or unrestricted license to practice in the state or territory where his/her practice is conducted with a valid, unrestricted license.
  3. Be able to document evidence of conformity to the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association.
  4. Be a member in good standing of the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association for two (2) years immediately preceding the date of certification.
  5. Satisfactorily complete an AOA approved internship.
  6. Completed a period of two (2) years of AOA approved training in emergency medicine following the required one (1) year of internship provided the residency training was initiated prior to July 1, 1989.
    Candidates completing ACGME residency training must have training approved by the AOA through the re-entry process. Candidates should contact the department of postdoctoral training at the AOA. See Section IV.

Candidates initiating residency training on or after July 1, 1989, must have satisfactorily completed three (3) years of approved AOA training in emergency medicine following the required one (1) year of internship.

  1. Applicants must continue the practice of emergency medicine while completing the certification examination process.
  2. Applicants successfully completing an AOA approved emergency medicine residency program will be eligible to complete the certification examination process after evidence of one (1) year of practice in emergency medicine, or one year of subspecialty training which directly relates to the practice of Emergency Medicine, upon approval by the Board.
  3. Applicants having successfully completed an AOA approved dual residency program in Emergency Medicine and other specialties will be eligible to enter the certification process upon completion of both programs and complete the certification process after evidence of one year of practice in Emergency Medicine.
  4. Following satisfactory compliance with prescribed requirements for examination, applicants shall be required to pass appropriate examinations planned to evaluate: an understanding of the scientific basis of problems involved in emergency medicine, the familiarity with current advances in emergency medicine, the possession of sound judgement, and a high degree of skill in the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involved in the practice of emergency medicine.
  5. Oral, written and clinical examinations shall be conducted and required for each applicant. The practical or clinical examination shall be conducted after completion of the required year of practice, unless waived by the Board.
  6. Members of the Board shall review and participate in the grading of each written, oral, and clinical examination.
  1. A description of the method of conducting the examination is formulated in the Board's Regulations and Requirements, and provision for re-examination is determined.
  2. Applicants for examination for certification are required to file a completed application which shall set forth qualifications for examination as stated in paragraphs A through I in Section 1 of this article. The procedure for filing applications is set forth in the Regulations and Requirements of the Board.
    Section 2 Subject to the recommendation of the Bureau and the approval of the AOA Board of Trustees, the AOBEM may require such further training and/or practice in each of the fields coming under its jurisdiction, as in its judgement such field may require, provided the additional requirements for each field are clearly set forth in the Regulations and Requirements of the Board. Additions to training and/or practice requirements shall be effective one (1) year subsequent to the announcement of such change.