A step-by-step guide through the process of obtaining AOA recognition for your ACGME or military residency training program.
If you completed residency or fellowship training in an ACGME program, applying for AOA recognition of your training allows you to be eligible for AOA board certification in your specialty. You’ll also need to obtain it if you plan to practice in Pennsylvania, since this state requires DOs to have completed an OGME-1 year in order to become licensed. (Michigan, Oklahoma, and Florida no longer require DOs to have completed an AOA-approved internship for licensure.)
Select an option below to view step-by-step processes for obtaining AOA recognition for your training.
If you completed your first year of residency in an ACGME-accredited program and plan to practice medicine in Pennsylvania, here’s the process you’ll need to follow.
Read moreDOs who completed their first year of residency in a federal or military program can petition for AOA recognition of their training by following these steps.
Read moreIf you completed an ACGME residency or fellowship program, here’s how to obtain AOA recognition for your training so you’ll be eligible for AOA board certification.
Read moreIf you want to pursue AOA board certification, or practice medicine in Pennsylvania, you’ll need AOA recognition of your ACGME or federal/military PGY1 year.
To meet state licensure requirements, DOs in Pennsylvania must either complete an AOA rotating internship or obtain AOA recognition for their ACGME or federal/military PGY1 year.
The West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine requires an AOA-approved internship, but will accept an ACGME internship if the applicant gets their ACGME PGY1 year recognized by the AOA or if the applicant also completes 40 hours of Category 1-A CME in osteopathic medicine. Ten of the 40 hours required must be in osteopathic manipulative treatment.
The verification letter should be emailed to postdoc@osteopathic.org by the program. Verification letters must be written on institutional letterhead and include the signature of the program director.
You may attend any continuing medical education (CME) event that offers AOA Category 1-A CME. This could be an AOA conference such as ROME or OMED, or a state or specialty osteopathic conferences. You can use our CME Search tool to find osteopathic CME near you.
A certificate of attendance must be provided to the AOA for any conferences you attend.
