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    Osteopathic Certification

    In 2007 the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists approved a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in hospice and palliative medicine. The American Osteopathic HPM Conjoint Examination Committee administers the HPM subspecialty certification exam and Osteopathic Continuous Certification requirements.

    The following boards participate in the HPM Conjoint Committee: 

    If you’re a midcareer physician interested in certification but ineligible for certification through ABMS or AOA, learn more about hospice medical director certification through the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB).

    This is only general information. It is important to contact your applicable primary certification board for detailed requirements.

    Eligibility for Initial Certification

    Osteopathic physicians wishing to obtain their CAQ in HPM must

    • be a graduate of COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine
    • provide substantiation of satisfactory clinical competence in HPM, which must be provided by the program director of the fellowship program where the candidate completed clinical training
    • hold an active license to practice medicine in a state or territory of the United States
    • possess a valid certification by their primary AOA board
    • complete a 12-month ACGME-approved fellowship in HPM.

    Exam Information

    The AOA examination is a proctored 5-hour examination consisting of multiple-choice questions of the single-best-answer type. You can find the examination schedule, locations, and application information from the AOA Conjoint Committee on HPM.

    Osteopathic Continuous Certification

    If you hold a time-limited certificate, you are required to participate in the four components of the OCC process in order to maintain your Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in HPM.

    DOs with a Certificate of Added Qualification in hospice and palliative medicine are required to maintain certification in the underlying, primary Board. Please contact your primary board for details.

    Resources

    AAHPM has developed products, courses, and resources to help you prepare for the exam. Browse the products and choose what is right for you.