CERTIFICATION AS A DIPLOMATE
OF THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC BOARD OF
NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE

Information for Applicants

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine may be certified by the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association in recognition of his/her proficiency in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and the use of osteopathic structural and palpatory diagnosis and manipulative treatment in the total health care of patients. Osteopathic physicians who have completed a residency in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (NMM/OMM) may establish board eligibility.

To qualify for certification certain prerequisites must be met. After applying and satisfying the prerequisites the candidate must then successfully pass a written, an oral and a practical examination.

Organization and Authority

The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine is a Certifying Board of the American Osteopathic Association. Its members are nominated from the certified members of the American Academy of Osteopathy by the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Osteopathy and are appointed by the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association.

Application Procedure

Click to download Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Application (.pdf)

Inquiries should be addressed to the executive office, to attention of the Secretary of the Examining Board:

American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
3500 DePauw Boulevard, Suite 1080
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268

PLEASE NOTE: The AOBNMM complies with the American Disability Act regulations. Therefore, if a candidate has a special need, he/she must notify the Board at the time of application.

Applicants must provide, in writing, a request for exemption from any reciprocal treatment, such as HVLA or any particular treatment model, during the Practical portion of the Board's examination. The applicant must provide documentation, from a treating physician, the medical reasons for being excused, the types of treatment to be avoided and the areas of the body not to be treated. Exemption from treatment to unnamed body regions will not be acceptable during this portion of the Board's examination. The candidate will be required, at his/her own expense, to provide a surrogate to replace the candidate during the Practical examination for the particular treatment. However, the Board must receive notification of the use of a surrogate prior to the examination date.

An application form will be sent to the applicant upon written request.

The form shall be completed by the applicant and returned, accompanied by two hundred dollars ($200.00) application fee and nine hundred dollars ($900.00) test fee (both non-refundable). Application may be made at any time but will be considered in the next appropriate cycle once approval is given by the Credentials Committee of the Board. Applications must be received at least 180 days before the intended date of examination. All requirements must be met at the time of application.

Once approval is given, the candidate is scheduled to sit for examination. All NMM/OMM residency-trained candidates must provide a completion certificate with appropriate signatures from the contracting institution and will be required to have verification of training complete status through the AOA before being recommended for certification.

Examinations will be given at a time and place determined by the Board. The expenses incurred by the candidate are the candidate's responsibility.

A candidate who is in his/her last year of NMM/OMM residency training may be eligible to make application provided he/she is scheduled to complete the residency by July 31. To be eligible for examination, he/she must produce the Residency Certificate, which confirms the candidate's completion of the residency program at least sixty (60) days prior to the Examination date.

Board eligibility registration begins when the AOBNMM has approved the application after the candidate completes his/her residency training. Such eligibility is not granted automatically and is limited by AOA requirements to six years. Additional information regarding board eligibility is included with the information packet.

The AOBNMM Board has established test period requirements for both those candidates who are Board Eligible and those who are not (see page 7 of this booklet for requirements).

When the candidate has passed each of the three examinations (written, oral, and practical), the Board submits his/her name to the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists for approval. Certification in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is then conferred by the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.

Should he/she fail either the written, oral or practical examination the first time, he/she may repeat that examination within the next two scheduled examination dates at no additional fee. If the candidate does not re-test during the next two cycles, he/she will be required to pay an additional fee of four hundred fifty dollars ($450.00) for the opportunity to re-test. If the candidate fails the second attempt, he/she will be required to pay an additional fee of $450.00 for each future opportunity to re-test.

Requirements for Examination and Certification
in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
(Based on Constitution and Bylaws, Articles VII, VIII and IX)

To be eligible to receive Certification in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine from the Board, the applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. The Applicant must be a graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine approved by the American Osteopathic Association.
2. The Applicant must be licensed to practice in a state, territory, province or country.
3. The Applicant must be able to show evidence of conformity to the standards set in the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association.
4. The Applicant must have been a member in good standing of the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association for a continuous period of at least two (2) years prior to the date of certification.
5. The Applicant must have completed satisfactorily an internship of at least one (1) year in a hospital approved for intern training by the American Osteopathic Association.
6. The applicant must have completed by the AOBNMM application deadline:
   1. At least two years of an AOA-approved residency in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine and meet the AOA's criteria for Board Eligibility.

      NOTE: A candidate who is in his/her last year of residency training and is scheduled to complete the residency by July 31 must produce a Residency Certificate, which confirms the candidate's completion of the residency program at least sixty (60) days prior to the Examination date to be eligible to test;

   2. Completion of the residency plus one year of neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine residency training option or an integrated residency program, and who meets the AOA's criteria for Board Eligibility; or

      NOTE: A candidate scheduled to complete the residency by July 31 must produce a Residency Certificate, which confirms the candidate's completion of the residency program at least sixty. (60) days prior to the Examination date to be eligible to test;

   3. If the board eligibility of a candidate who is a graduate of a neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine residency program has expired, he/she may petition the AOBNMM for a three-year extension.
7. Applicants must submit their CME printout of accumulated hours recorded by the AOA 150 category 1A hours shall be required in each 36-month period and of these, *50 hours shall be specifically from NMM/OMM 1A programs (sponsored or co-sponsored by the American Academy of Osteopathy), or approved by the AOBNMM Certifying Board:

   *Please Note: Only actual hours of NMM/OMM taught or presented by a D.O. [AOA approved Category 1-A only] will be accepted. You must send a course outline for approval by the AOBNMM Certifying Board to support un-recorded hours. Osteopathic precepting and/or osteopathic teaching will be accepted for a MAXIMUM total of 25 hours combined in the three-year period.

8. The Applicant must document his or her qualifications in the formal application.
9. Board shall establish individual eligibility of the candidate for examination; and
10. A written, oral, and a practical examination will be required of each applicant.

The Method of Examination

1. There shall be a written examination prepared by the Board in the COM-LEX style.
2. There shall be an oral examination during which the candidate will be expected to demonstrate special proficiency in structural diagnosis and manipulative management as it relates to his/her practice discipline.
3. There shall be a practical examination during which time the candidate will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in structural diagnosis and manipulative management. These techniques are the most currently used modalities of osteopathic manipulative medicine as taught in most osteopathic colleges today, and include, but are not limited to direct and indirect techniques, such as cranial osteopathy, counterstrain, HVLA, muscle energy and myofascial release.

   Note: Candidates will be expected to treat each other during the practical exam. If there is a problem, or if the candidate has questions regarding reciprocal treatment, he/she should contact the AOBNMM office for pre-test arrangements.

4. The written, oral, and practical examinations will be weighed equally. Each section of the examination must be successfully completed or require re-testing.
5. These examinations will be conducted by members of the Board. The administration of the practical and oral sections of the examination may be accomplished, when necessary, with the assistance of one or more designated examiners who are diplomates of the Board acting with a member of the Board.
6. Candidates will be required to confirm their intent to test at a scheduled date.

AOBNMM Test Cancellation Policy

1. An "excused" cancellation by the AOBNMM is considered to be any cancellation made NOT LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO A SCHEDULED TEST DATE. (A candidate whose cancellation is considered "excused" by the Board will be able to test at the next available test date at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
2. A candidate who cancels LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO A SCHEDULED TEST DATE will be required to submit to the Board documented proof of an "emergency". Upon receipt of such documentation and upon review by the Board, if the Board so deems the cancellation was a result of a "true emergency"(i.e. "excused") (that determination made at the discretion of the Board), the candidate will be allowed to take the NEXT AVAILABLE TEST at no additional charge.
3. A candidate who cancels LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO A SCHEDULED TEST DATE without documented evidence of an "emergency" (not "excused" by the Board), will be required to pay an additional $900.00 test fee for another opportunity to test.
4. Any candidate who has been approved by the Board to test at the next available test at no additional charge and who fails to do so, will be required to pay an additional $900.00 test fee for another opportunity to test.

AOBNMM Test Period Requirements

1. A candidate who is Board Eligible and whose application has been accepted by the Board must test within the period of his/her board eligibility.
   EXAMPLES:
   1. A candidate applies to the AOBNMM Secretary for board eligible status upon completion of the neuromusculoskeletal residency. He/she is allowed a period of 6 years in which to take the AOBNMM exams.
   2. A candidate makes application 4 years after completion of the neuromusculoskeletal residency. He/she has two years of board eligibility (6 - 4 = 2) left in which to take the AOBNMM exams.
2. If a candidate's board eligibility is terminated or expires, and he/she has not yet tested within board eligibility (6 years from date of registration as identified above), his/her application for Certification also expires and he/she must re-apply to the Board submitting the applicable fees ($200 application and $900 test fees).
3. Any candidate whose application has been submitted the Board and who is NOT Board Eligible must petition the Board for an extension period.

Requirements for Re-certification in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Effective by action of the AOA Board of Trustees in 1995, all NMM/OMM certificates carry a ten-year period of expiration.
To be eligible for re-certification as a diplomate, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Maintain 150 hours in AOA category 1A approved CME in a 36 month period with 50 of those hours being specifically in OMM and documented on your AOA CME printout;
2. Hold a current license to practice in the United States;
3. Must be a member in good standing of the American Osteopathic Association for a continuous period;
4. Must be able to show evidence of conformity to the standards set in the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association;
5. Must apply to the AOBNMM for re-certification prior to the expiration date of his/her original or current certificate (can apply two years before the actual expiration);
6. Remit the examination fee of $500.00 at the time of application;
7. Sit for a written examination (at a pre-determined site and date) before the expiration date of his/her original or current certificate;
8. Confirm intent to sit for examination at the scheduled date (All candidates will be expected to sit at a time and place as per the Board's published examination schedule).

CHECK LIST FOR APPLICANTS
for Certification in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine

COMPLETED APPLICATION shall be returned 180 days (either by May 1 or October 1 deadline dates) prior to the scheduled examination date to the:
Secretary of the AOBNMM
c/o American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
3500 DePauw Boulevard, Suite 1080
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268

It shall be accompanied by:

1. Photo of Applicant
2. $200.00 application fee and $900 test fee ($1,100 total -- non-refundable)
3. Copies of:
   Osteopathic College Diploma
   Osteopathic College Fellowship Certificate
   Intern Certificate
   Residency Certificate
   Current license(s) to practice
   Signed Candidate Statement/Release
   AOA Board Eligibility Form (completed)
   Documentation of other formal training
   Curriculum vitae (optional)
   AOA CME Printout (available via www.DO-online.org)

DOCUMENTATION OF CME All candidates must submit a current updated copy of their AOA CME printout for the current 36-month period. However, hours earned during internship are not accepted.

50 (Category 1-A) hours in NMM/OMM must be earned/recorded from programs sponsored by the American Academy of Osteopathy, its co-sponsors, or component societies and/or AOA accredited sponsors, including AOA Convention hours, all of which must be programs approved by the Certifying Board as meeting the specialty requirement.

Unchallenged CME hours include:

AAO Annual Convocation AAO Educational Programs AAO Co-Sponsored Programs **State Society Conventions

Cranial Academy Annual Conference SCTF Educational Programs AOA National Annual Convention **AAO Component Society Programs

150 (Category 1-A) accumulated hours will be expected per each 36-month period to maintain specialty certification. A maximum of 25 hours may be counted from precepting osteopathic students or from osteopathic teaching. 1A hours shall be earned from programs sponsored by the American Academy of Osteopathy, and/or AOA accredited sponsors and from programs approved by the Certifying Board

**Please Note: Only category 1A hours specifically of NMM/OMM will be accepted. Other means of 1-A CME may be considered on an individual basis. You must send a course outline for consideration of unrecorded hours. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT the programs you think should qualify.

BOARD ELIGIBILITY is established as a six-year period starting from the date of completion of an AOA- approved residency training program. Board Eligibility is not granted automatically. Candidates whose board eligibility status has expired, may petition the AOBNMM to re-establish board eligibility for a period of three years and, if granted, be considered eligible to sit for a maximum of three examination attempts within that three-year extension. The applicant's petition must contain evidence of meeting the following requirements in order to re-establish board eligibility status:

1. Documentation of licensure to practice in a state, territory, province or country.
2. Documentation of membership in good standing with the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association for a continuous period of at least two (2) years prior to the date of petition.
3. Documentation of conformity with the AOA Code of Ethics.
4. Documentation of acquisition of 150 hours of category 1A CME per AOA Activity Reports for the 36-months prior to submitting the petition, of which 50 hours must be in NMM/OMM and approved by the Board.
5. Payment of the application and examination fees at the time of application.

EXAMINATION may be taken once the Credential Committee of the Board is satisfied the applicant has met all requirements. The candidate will be advised of the date, time and place. Written, oral and practical examinations will be given. The candidate will proceed through all three examinations during the scheduled test date/s. If the candidate fails to earn a passing score on any of the three examinations (written, oral and practical), he/she must return to retake the failed examination/s at the next scheduled test date. The candidate will be notified of success or failure approximately 6 weeks after administration of the exams. A candidate must be successful in all three sections of the examination or be expected to re-sit in a section/s at the next test date until he/she achieves a passing score. Successful candidates will be recommended to the AOA's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists for action at their next scheduled review and also will receive formal notification from the AOA with issuance of a permanent certificate number. All certificates will be time dated for a period of 10 years from the year of initial successful examination.

RE-CERTIFICATION: Please note the advisory section of page 7 for procedures in re-certification.

The Board specifically recommends proper attire for the Practical examination session as being: shorts and T-shirts or gym clothes, and active wear (sweats), which will be loose and comfortable and allows for freedom of manipulation. SPANDEX is NOT recommended nor is any clothing requiring large belts/buckles etc. including denim jeans. You will be asked to remove your shoes, watches and jewelry during the Practical examination.

All costs to the candidate are the candidate's responsibility.