SECTION 1. WRITTEN EXAMINATION FAILURE

For those candidates starting the process after July 1, 2009, all parts of the certification process – written, oral and clinical – must be passed within six (6) years of the completion of an AOA-approved residency program.

For those candidates already in the certification process prior to July 1, 2009, the following shall apply:

  • Following an initial (1st) or second (2nd) failure of the written examination, the candidate may apply for reexamination and pay the required fees as determined by the Board
  • Following a third (3rd) failure of the written examination, a remediation board review course shall be recommended with fifty (50) hours of CME in the areas of weakness/deficiency. After successful  completion, the candidate may reenter the process according to Article III, Section 2 of this document.
  • Candidates are required by the Board to take the reexamination within a two (2) year period following the initial or second (2nd) failure. Failure to take the examination within this timeframe will automatically place the candidate in the reentry process as noted above.

SECTION 2. ORAL EXAMINATION FAILURE

The same conditions apply as noted above in Section 1.

SECTION 3. CLINICAL EXAMINATION FAILURE

Following a failure in the clinical examination, the candidate may reapply for the clinical examination by submitting six (6) months of logs that do not include any cases from the previously submitted logs and payment of the appropriate fees.

Failure of the clinical examination for a third time, a one (1) year senior level in an AOA-approved programs or its equivalent (i.e., fellowship) will be recommended.

Completion of above remediation or any other that the Board recommends, the candidate may apply to retake the examination for a fourth (4th) and final time. The candidate will not be allowed to reenter the process and will be ruled “Board Ineligible” and notification will be sent to the AOA.

SECTION 4. CAQ IN PAIN MANAGEMENT AND/OR CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE EXAMINATION FAILURE

Each candidate who unsuccessfully completes the examination process is able to reapply for the exam in subsequent years, as long as all of the requirements for examination have been met. The Board may request additional CME prior to the candidate being allowed to take the reexamination.

SECTION 5. REACTIVATION

Once the file has been inactivated, the candidate may appeal to the Board to re-enter the certification process. Each reapplication will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For those candidates that have reentered the certifying process for the additional six (6) years, must complete all three (3) of the examinations within that timeframe. Failure to do so will result in termination of the certification process. The Board will note that the candidate is “Board Ineligible” and notify the AOA.

SECTION 6. CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING

Failure to appear or withdrawal from a scheduled examination will be regarded as a cancellation. A rescheduling fee will be charged for any cancellation. These fees represent administrative costs to the Board and may be found on the AOBA website.

SECTION 7. RIGHT TO APPEAL

Following a third failure in any portion of the examinations, a candidate shall be denied the privilege of further examination. An applicant denied further examination has the right to appeal to the Board as indicated in Article X of the AOBA Policies and Procedures.