Osteopathic Certification

Approved Certificate of Added Qualification

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists approved a Certificate of Added Qualification in hospice and palliative medicine in February 2007. To view the Bureau resolution, click here. To view the May 2007 news release, click here.

Who is Eligibile?

The American Osteopathic Boards of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology & Psychiatry, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation offer the Certificate of Added Qualification in hospice and palliative medicine. Candidates who have obtained general certification from these boards and meet the eligibility requirements established by their board will be allowed to sit for the exam.

Candidates who have obtained general certification from any of the other American Osteopathic Primary Boards including: Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Orthopedic Surgery, Pathology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine, Proctology, Radiology, and Surgery who meet the eligibility requirements established by the AOA will be allowed to sit for the exam between 2009 and 2013. After that time period only candidates from the 4 co-sponsoring boards will be allowed to sit for the examination.  

Exam Information

The date of the initial conjoint examination for interested CAQ applicants is November 1, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. The examination is administered to candidates from all boards at the same time and location and will be offered every other year (2011, 2013). Candidates from Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology & Psychiatry, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation should submit their application through the AOA member board by which they are certified. The application deadline has now passed for the 2009 examination.

American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice (AOBFP)

American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM)

AOA Listserv for Updates

An email listserve has been organized to keep interested DO's up-to-date on progress toward an osteopathic certification. Contact Debra Clemons at dclemons@osteopathic.org and ask to be added to AOA's EOL Palliative Care listserve.

Resources for Exam Preparation

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine offers a vast array of resources to help prepare for the AOA CAQ Exam. Click here to view resources.