About

Applicant Handbook

Applications and Forms

Certification

Dermatopathology CAQ

For the Public

Home

Links

Recertification

Basic Eligibility Requirements

1. Completed application and fee
2. Member in good standing with the AOA, AOCD or AOBPa
3. Certification by the AOBD or AOBPa
4. Satisfaction of current CME requirements
5. Completion of one of the following: (a) one-year AOA-approved postgraduate program in dermtopathology (copy of training certificate and letter of recommendation from program chair required) (b) one or two year non-AOA postgraduate training program in dermatopathology (copy of training certificate, letter of recommendation from program chair and description/summary of program required.

Certifying Board Examination

Applicants who satisfactorily meet the above requirements may sit for the certifying board examination.

The certifying board examination should consist of three sections:

1. Glass Slides - (a) four sets of fifteen representative glass slides with multiple-choice answers (b) 60 questions
2. Kodachromes - (a) clinical dermatology (80%) (b) electron microscopy, mycology, entomology, etc. (20%) (c) 50 questions
3. Written - (a) 125 questions with multiple-choice answers covering representative topics

The test should cover a defined weighted value for specific dermatopathology categories (e.g. vasculitis 5%, genodermatoses 2%, benign adnexal, etc.).

Recertification Process

1. The applicant must hold a current certificate in dermatology or pathology granted by the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology. In addition, applicant must have been granted a Certificate of Added Qualification in Dermatopathology, and be licensed to practice medicine in the state or territory where his/her practice is conducted. The applicant must currently perform dermatopathology as a part of his/her dermatology/pathology practice. A copy of the applicant's medical license and the appropriate CLOA laboratory registration certificate (if applicable) must be submitted with the recertification application. If the applicant's practice is restricted to pathology/dermatopathology, the laboratory must be accredited by the College of American Pathologists, JCAHO or equivalent accrediting agency.
2. Applicant must be a member in good standing of the American Osteopathic Association.
3. The applicant must complete a minimum of fifty (50) hours of accredited CME in dermatology or pathology in the 3 years prior to recertification. Ten (10) of those hours must be in dermatopathology. This can be accomplished through individual courses dealing with dermatopathology sponsored by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, International Society of Dermatopathology, Scientific Symposiums International or other ACCME accredited programs. Proof of attendance should be submitted with the application. (25% of overall score)
4. The applicant should submit evidence of having performed at least 500 dermatopathology cases in a 12-month period prior to submission of the application. (25% of overall score)
5. Applicant will submit 20 glass slides with reports for the Clinical Assessment Program (CAP). Slides will be reviewed for accuracy and conformity with standard of care. (25% of overall score)
6. A proctored examination will be administered. The examination will consist of three equally weighted parts: written knowledge, glass dermatopathology slides and dermatology clinical images. (25% of overall score)
7. The syllabus for the examination is the book Pathology of the Skin, 2005 by McKee, Calonje and Granter.

Email AOBPa

©2010, American Osteopathic Board of Pathology
142 East Ontario Street, Flr 4
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone 800-621-1773, Ext 8227 - Fax 312-202-8224
aobpa(at)osteopathic.org - www.aobpath.org