American Osteopathic Board of Pathology (AOBPa)[]
The information below is quoted from a presentation given by the Residents Forum Executive Committee during the Spring 2010 meeting. The information was derived from the AOBPa's website, and discussion with the Chairman and Director of the AOBPa. The AOBPa is n active organization within the American Osteopathic Association, with approximately 180 members.
Board-certified Osteopathic Physcians (D.O.):[]
- Anatomic Pathology
- Forensic Pathology
- Laboratory Medicine (CP)
- Also available: Certifcation of Added Qualifications in Dermatopathology
The exams are held anually in conjuction with the AOA meeting (2011: Oct 29-30 in Orlando, FL): Approximately 1-2 individuals sit for the boards each year.
Board Eligibility:[]
- Completion of an AOA-approved residency program
- Completion of an AOA-approved internship
- Member in good standing of the AOA
- Has been accepted as board-eligible by the appropriate specialty board
- Has an unrestricted license in the state or territory where he/she practices
- Is a graduate of an AOA-approved College of Osteopathic Medicine
Specialty training Requirements:[]
- AP- 3 years
- CP- 3 years
- AP/CP- 4 years
- AP/Forensics- 4 years (2 years AP + 2 years Forensic or 3 years AP + 1 year Forensic)
Application and Fees:[]
"The examination process consists of written multiple choice/matching examinations, practical written multiplechoice/matching examination, and oral examination. Failure to achieve a final passing grade in any part of the examination shall require the applicant to be reexamined in all parts regardless of the scoring on any individual part of the examination"
- Application deadline for 2011: Friday, July 22
- Application Fee: $50.00 (required per application)
- Written: $600.00
- Practical: $600.00
- Oral: $600.00
- All 3 Components: $1,800.00
- Any two full-component examinations: $3,000.00 (i.e. AP and CP)
The Insider's Scoop:[]
The AOBPa is equally accredited at almost all institutions in the USA. There is no need to take both the ABP and AOBPa examinations. If for some reason the institution has a problem with the credentials, the AOBPa will interceed on the physician's behalf.
If one has goals of teaching or working in an Osteopathic institution or being involved in the upper ranks of the AOA, one would have to be certified through the AOBPa.
Many subspeciaties cannot be certified through the AOBPa, including Transfusion Medicine, Microbiology, Cytology, Hematopathology and Molecular Pathology. If you desire certification in one of these areas, you must take the pathway of the ABP at this time.
The oral component may seem daunting, but is designed to ask more recent questions (since questions are not updated as often due to so few test takers). The basic idea is, "Here is your clinical scenario, what would you do?" and can be something of a dialogue between you and the evaluator.
There are Osteopathic questions on the exam, but they are geared towards philosophy, so you won't need to crack out your green book to refresh on sacrum.
For More Information:
- E-Mail: aobpa@osteopathic.org
- Website: http://www.aobpath.org