- Established 1943 -
Recertification
The American Osteopathic Board of Pathology shall offer recertification to its diplomates on a voluntary basis for physicians certified prior to January 1, 1995. Recertification is required for diplomates certified after January 1, 1995. The following minimum requirements for recertification are:
- The applicant must hold certification for a period of not less than eight (8) years prior to applying for recertification. This requirement may be waived under special circumstances by the specialty board.
- The applicant must present written evidence of continuous compliance with the initial requirements of the AOA for certification in the particular specialty(ies).
- The applicant must submit documented evidence, acceptable to the board, of having attended, presented or participated in a minimum of seventy-five (75) hours of education programs, seminars, lectures or other academic exercises related to the specialty of pathology or any of its divisions, during the preceding three (3) year period.
- The applicant should submit evidence of medical staff privileges and scope of healthcare organization privileges, if applicable. Applicants who are not members of the staff of a health care facility must submit a description of his/her practice.
- Prerequisites for taking the examination are previous certification in anatomic pathology, laboratory medicine or forensic pathology as well as payment of the examination fee.
- The examination shall include a written and practical part.
The anatomic pathology examination shall encompass current aspects of:
1. Surgical pathology
2. Autopsy pathology
3. Cytopathology
4. Immunohistochemistry
The laboratory medicine examination shall encompass current aspects of:
1. Hematology
2. Coagulation
3. Clinical chemistry
4. Serology
5. Blood banking
6. Microbiology
The forensic medicine examination shall include current aspects of forensic pathology.
In each of the above categories, an understanding of osteopathic principles and concepts will be included in the examination process.
A candidate who fails the examination will be allowed to repeat the examination upon reapplication to the board an unlimited number of times. This candidate will retain his/her certified status if the candidate has a lifetime certificate. If the candidate has a ten year certificate, failure of the examination will result in loss of certification if the candidate fails to pass the examination by the 10th year.
Successful candidates will be recertified for a period of 10 years.
Recertification certificate shall be issued to the successful candidates according to the rules of the board of pathology concerning primary certification certificates.
Certificate longevity - certification by the AOA through the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology is valid for ten (10) years, beginning with certificates issued after January 1, 1995.