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View OCC Component 2 policies for the 2025-27 certification CME cycle.
Physicians certified by an AOA specialty certifying board demonstrate expertise in their specialty through Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC), which provides opportunities for professional development centered on patient care and lifelong learning. The 2025-27 certification CME cycle is Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2027. The requirements for OCC Component 2: Lifelong Learning/Continuing Medical Education and the activities that may serve to meet those requirements for the 2025-27 Certification CME Cycle as of Jan. 1, 2025, are outlined below.
The AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) maintains the right to update CME requirements for AOA Board Certification as needed. The BOS reserves the right to evaluate all programs and activities on an individual basis. Physicians are responsible for reviewing the rules and regulations of CME throughout the Certification CME cycle to remain informed.
The following requirements apply to all Diplomates who hold osteopathic board certification issued by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) through the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists and specialty certifying boards.
Time-limited certification
Diplomates holding a time-limited AOA board certification must meet the specified number of CME credit hours, as determined by the specialty certifying board, for the 2025-27 Certification CME Cycle as part of Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) Component 2: Lifelong Learning/Continuing Medical Education (CME). The CME requirements for newly certified Diplomates will be prorated when entering mid-cycle. Learn more.
The CME report outlines the total CME requirement and, if applicable, indicates the number of Category 1 CME credit hours and specialty specific CME credit hours required. View the CME requirements by specialty certifying board to determine your CME requirement. Diplomates who hold time-limited certifications must fulfill the OCC Component 2: Lifelong Learning/CME requirement as outlined, in addition to meeting the requirements of each of the other OCC components.
Non-time-limited certification
Diplomates holding non-time-limited AOA board certification who choose not to voluntarily participate in OCC must obtain 120 total CME credit hours during the 2025-27 certification CME cycle regardless of specialty. The number of Category 1 CME credit hours and specialty specific CME credit hours required, if applicable, are determined by the specialty certifying board.
Diplomates holding non-time-limited AOA board certification who choose to voluntarily participate in OCC must meet the specified number of CME credit hours, as determined by the specialty certifying board, for the 2025-27 certification CME cycle for OCC Component 2: Lifelong Learning/CME.
The CME activity report outlines the total certification CME requirement, and if applicable, indicates the number of Category 1 CME credit hours and specialty specific CME credit hours required. View the CME requirements by specialty certifying board to determine your CME requirements.
All AOA diplomates must meet the CME requirements specified by their specialty certifying board(s) for the 2025-27 certification CME cycle as indicated.
Please note the listed requirements apply to the AOA board certification CME requirements only. It is the responsibility of the individual physician to stay informed of their CME requirements for state licensure, membership in other organizations, etc.
Conjoint subspecialty certifications
There are no additional CME requirements for maintaining an AOA conjoint subspecialty certification. Diplomates holding AOA conjoint subspecialty certification must abide by the primary board certification CME requirements as stipulated by the specialty certifying board. AOA conjoint subspecialty certification may be earned in:
The AOA assigns CME credit to four categories: 1-A, 1-B, 2-A and 2-B.
View a detailed list of CME activity options for each category through the link below. If there is no cap specified in the “caps, rules, etc.” section, then there is no limit to how many CME credit hours may be applied to the certification CME requirements for that activity during the 2025-27 certification CME cycle.
Reporting osteopathic CME
AOA-accredited Category 1 CME sponsors are responsible for reporting osteopathic CME credit hours to the AOA. Category 1 CME sponsors have up to 90 days following the completion of an activity or conclusion of a program to submit CME credit hours. AOA Category 1 CME credit hours will not be awarded for activities submitted directly by a physician. If Category 1 CME credit hours are missing from your report, please reach out directly to the AOA CME sponsor.
Reporting AAFP or AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Physicians are responsible for reporting to the AOA all CME earned from an ACCME-accredited provider for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or AAFP CME program. A certificate of attendance must be submitted through the CME Self-Reporting Tool (login required) or by emailing Physician Education & CME at [email protected]. Submissions must include the physician’s name and AOA ID number, and the certificate must specify the total number of CME credit hours earned. Transcripts from other institutions (hospitals, CME trackers, etc.) will be accepted if the total number of CME credit hours earned is specified.
The following activities do not qualify for CME credit hours:
The following activities may qualify for CME credit, but the credit is not applicable toward AOA certification CME requirements:
Certification CME requirements are prorated during the current certification CME cycle for newly board-certified physicians or physicians reactivating board certification.
Initial certification
When a physician first becomes certified, their certification CME requirement is prorated, based on the certification issue date, for the current certification CME cycle only.
Reactivated certification
When a physician reactivates an inactive certification, their certification CME requirement is prorated, based on the amount of time the certification was inactive, for the current certification CME cycle only.
The chart linked below displays proration requirements for both initial and reactivated certifications.
Diplomates who are unable to fulfill their 2025-27 certification CME requirements due to extenuating circumstances, such as maternity or paternity leave, medical illness or disability, military service, etc., may apply for a reduction or waiver of the AOA certification CME requirements for the 2025-27 certification CME cycle.
Diplomates who begin a new ACGME-accredited residency training program in a specialty other than that of their current AOA primary specialty board certification may apply for a reduction or waiver of their AOA Certification CME requirements for their active AOA primary board certification while completing the residency training program.
Common situations that may result in a reduction or waiver of a diplomate’s certification CME requirements are listed in the table linked below. Certification CME reduction and waiver requests must be submitted by completing the certification CME reduction or waiver request form and must include the required supporting documentation, as specified in the linked table. Reduction and waiver requests can be submitted for the current certification CME cycle only and will not be reviewed if the diplomate has already met or exceeded the certification CME requirement for the cycle. A reduction or waiver in certification CME requirements will not be granted without due cause. CME reductions or waivers for certification granted by the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists do not affect individual state medical licensing board’s CME licensing requirements.
If a physician submits a certificate of completion for a standardized life support course, the amount of CME indicated on the certificate will be recognized by the AOA. In cases where the certificate of completion does not list a specific number of credits earned, CME will be applied as indicated in the table linked below.
Diplomates who teach a standardized life support course and submit a certificate or teaching log will earn CME credits on an hour-for-hour basis. In cases where the certificate or teaching log does not contain a specified amount, a maximum of 10 CME credits may be awarded per calendar year.
The 2022-24 certification CME cycle will end on Dec. 31, 2024 (Jan. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2024).