Christopher P. Zabbo, DO, FACOEP  Secretary, AOBEM submitted the below content on behalf of the American Osteopathic Board or Emergency Medicine for ACOEP’s members.

The American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) is pleased to announce the launch of its new annual Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) examination. The Continuous Osteopathic Recertification Examination (CORE) will replace the high stakes, 10 year examination also known as the Cognitive Assessment Recertification Examination. The CORE is a condensed exam that is taken annually which combines over the 10 year certification window to cover the content of the traditional Cognitive Assessment Exam and COLA exams.

CORE OVERVIEW:

CORE, the new annual OCC for AOBEM, is administered online 24/7 and can be taken at home or in the office. It is an open book examination where diplomates are encouraged to use the educational resources typically available in the Emergency Department.  Diplomates are allowed three (3) attempts at CORE each year.  CORE has a total of 40 to 60 multiple-choice questions, based on two main content areas from the AOBEM Table of Specifications (TOS) and four current practice changing articles.

Two sections are available once logged in:

  • Section One includes the two required core content modules.
  • Section Two has eight article-based modules. Of the eight article-based modules, the diplomate is required to take and pass four modules.

After completing all six modules (two core content and four article-based), the diplomate will be required to complete a short survey to receive their certificate of completion.

KEY DETAILS:

Registration: Registration is available on the AOBEM Exams page. Once you register for CORE, allow 5-7 business days to receive access. You will be notified by AOBEM staff via the email address provided during registration. The final deadline to apply for CORE is Dec. 1 of each calendar year.

Cost: The annual fee for CORE is $210.

How CORE works: Once registered for CORE, the diplomate has until the end of the CORE administration year to complete the necessary modules. Ex: CORE 2020 must be completed by Dec. 31, 2020.

  • The module can be reviewed after it is completed.
  • The correct and incorrect answers are visible. The correct answer will not be shown for questions answered incorrectly.
  • Each module requires a 75% to pass.
  • Module questions are shuffled per diplomate. No diplomate will have the same questions in the same order.
    • After the first attempt the questions will not reshuffle.
  • Each module allows three attempts.
    • The diplomate must wait one week after each attempt before reattempting the same module. Consider this when attempting modules near the December 31 deadline.
    • The diplomate has the option to move on to a different module, if available, without a delay.

Phase-in Plan:  Diplomates with an expiration date of 2020, must have passed 8 COLA modules and pass the 2020 CORE during 2020.  Diplomates with an expiration date of 2021 and beyond may enter the annual CORE process early with a reduced COLA requirement. The final deadline to transition over to CORE is your expiration year OR 2029, whichever comes first.

Want to learn more? Access a detailed phase-in plan, CORE eligibility requirements, FAQs and application instructions in our OCC Component 3 section.

Questions? Please contact AOBEM at aobem@osteopathic.org.