Where to begin
We understand that choosing your certification pathway can be overwhelming with so many options available. To help you make the most informed decision, we've outlined the steps of the journey and highlighted some exciting programs, tools, and resources.
Step 1: Talk to your Program Director about the Formative Assessment
The American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine (AOBFP) In-Service Exam (ISE), produced and administered by ACOFP, is a formative exam that will fulfill ACGME standard requirements and contains an osteopathic component that will fulfill ACGME’s OPP/OMM formative assessment requirement for programs that have Osteopathic Recognition (OR). It is best to speak with your Program Director about the Formative Assessment when you begin your residency, in July. We encourage you to share this joint letter with them.
Step 2: Choose Osteopathic Initial Certification
AOBFP offers two options for initial certification—the traditional pathway or Early Entrance Initial Certification (EEIC). The EEIC takes place in the spring of PGY3 each year.
Whenever possible, ACOFP recommends pursuing the EEIC pathway because it offers the convenience of taking a shortened initial certification written exam during residency—when skills and training are fresh. You will leave residency with your certification requirements completed, increasing marketability among employers and patients.
In addition to featuring fewer questions, the EEIC Written Exam is offered at a lower cost than the traditional exam. To become board-certified in family medicine and OMT, you must complete the OMT performance (practical) exam, held once this year in conjunction with the ACOFP Annual Convention & Scientific Seminars in the spring.
Step 3: Apply for grant support from the ACOFP Foundation
The ACOFP Foundation supports the path to certification in two ways:
- Initial Certification Grant: Designed to to relieve some of the financial burden for residents entering the field, the grant will award up to $1,400 for exam fees and travel expenses to residents who don’t have complete funding support from their program to be used for the AOBFP exam. Partial grants may be awarded.
- In-Service Exam Support: First and second-year residents in programs that do not already provide financial support for the ISE may have two Osteopathic In-Service Exams (ISE) fully paid for through a partnership between the ACOFP Foundation and ACOFP over a two-year period. Completing these two prerequisites will qualify Family Medicine residents for the’ AOBFP Early Entry Initial Certification (EEIC) exam.
More About
the Early Entrance Initial Certification
The EEIC program is designed for osteopathic family medicine residents and allopathic graduates who seek to maintain osteopathic distinctiveness within a single accreditation system. It allows participants to integrate the four osteopathic core principles into their patient care. Ideal for osteopathically-trained students in ACGME family medicine programs without an osteopathic focus, the program is available in the spring of PGY3 each year.
What is the In-Service Exam
The AOBFP In-Service Exam (ISE), produced and administered by ACOFP, is a formative exam that will fulfill ACGME standard requirements. It also includes an osteopathic component that will fulfill ACGME’s OPP/OMM formative assessment requirement for programs that have Osteopathic Recognition (OR).
Important Dates
Fall 2024 Traditional Pathway Initial Certification
- Exam dates: Sept. 10-12, 2024
- Applications open: May 1, 2024
- First application deadline: July 10, 2024
- Final application deadline: August 9, 2024 (with late fees)
- Exam fee: $550
Spring 2025 Traditional Pathway Initial Certification
- Exam dates: April 22-25, 2025
- Applications open: November 1, 2024
- First application deadline: February 22, 2025
- Final application deadline: March 22, 2025 (with late fees)
- Exam fee: $550
Spring 2025 OMT Performance Exam
- Palm Springs, CA (in conjunction with the annual ACOFP conference)
- Exam dates: April 3-4, 2025
- Application opens October 1, 2024
- First application deadline: On or before November 30, 2024
- Final application deadline: January 6, 2025 (with late fees)
- Exam fee: $500