You can gain AOA recognition for military and federal PGY1 training by applying online, submitting your official duty orders, and having your program send a verification letter.
If your first year of residency was in a military or federal residency program, you’ll need to obtain AOA training recognition if you plan to become AOA board certified. You’ll also need AOA training recognition if you intend to practice in Pennsylvania or Florida. You can apply for recognition anytime after finishing your first year of residency (PGY1). Federal and military residency training is reviewed and recognized on an individual basis.
The three-step process is outlined below.
The first step of applying for training recognition is submitting the online application for AOA recognition of federal/military PGY1 training.
You can upload a copy of your Official Duty Orders while you are completing the online application for federal/military residency training recognition in step 1 above. You can also submit Official Duty Orders by emailing a copy to PGY1@osteopathic.org.
Your federal/military PGY1 residency training verification letter must be submitted by your residency program directly to the AOA. The letter must also:
Verification letters that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted. The AOA only recognizes that training that has been successfully completed. Letters received and/or dated before the official Military PGY1 completion date will not be accepted. To learn more, view a sample letter.
Applications are reviewed monthly by the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (AMOPS) representative of the Program and Trainee Review Council (PTRC). You must submit all required items before your application can be considered.
After the AOA receives your residency program verification letter, your PGY1 rotations will be compared to the curriculum of the traditional rotating internship or the AOA’s OGME-1 specialty rotations.
If you have questions on how to meet rotational requirements or your training institution has closed, please contact the AOA Division of Trainee Services at (312) 202-8089 or PGY1@osteopathic.org. In cases of hospital closure, the Program and Trainee Review Council will review and determine approvals on a case-by-case basis.