Board Certification

To become board certified in in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM) one must attend an American osteopathic college, complete a NMM/OMM postdoctoral residency, qualify for AOBNMM standards, and pass the written, oral and practical components of the AOBNMM certification test.

Residency Training

The AOA’s Council on Postdoctoral Training authorizes residency training in the recognized specialty of neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).  Specialty training programs for NMM/OMM consist of three types, all of which have the ability to prepare the physician to be board eligible for NMM/OMM:

  1. Two-year program in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM);
  2. One-year program in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM) following completion of an AOA approved residency in another discipline (PLUS-ONE); and
  3. Integrated three year program in family practice and neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine (FP + NMM/OMM)

Physicians with a time-dated certification are to re-certify every ten years in order to maintain board certification.

Upcoming Exam Dates
Oral and Practical Exams: Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN
Written and Recertification Exam: Sunday, November 21, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN

Recertification Exam: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in Colorado Springs, CO

For application and/or exam information, please contact Susan Lightle at (317) 879-1881 or slightle@academyofosteopathy.org.

Examination Application Procedure
Important materials to download:
Checklist
Release Statement
Certification Application
Recertification Application
Recertification Requirements

Inquiries should be addressed to:
AOBNMM Coordinator
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 Boards 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 Boards 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 one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) 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 100 days before the intended date of examination. All requirements must be met at the time of application.

Important Information for Residents: In order to become certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, the applicant MUST be in a residency-complete status. In order for a resident to obtain a residency-complete status, the following information must be sent in to the Postdoctoral Standards and Evaluation Committee of the American Academy of Osteopathy by the residency director: (1) Some type of scholarly activity; (2) resident’s logs; (3) a completed residency report; and (4) a complete program director’s report. The AOBNMM suggest the applicant contact their program director at the residency program they attended to be sure the applicant’s file is in order.

The AOBNMM shall establish individual eligibility of the candidate for examinations; and a written, oral and a practical examination will be required of each applicant. Examinations will be given at a time and place determined by the Board. The expenses incurred by the candidate are the candidate’s responsibility.

IMPORTANT: An applicant who does not sit for the NMM/OMM board exams the November following the completion of his/her residency training will be required to submit a CME report showing 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) per year; of those 17 hours must be in Category 1A NMM/OMM approved CME, as determined by the AOBNMM Credentials Review Committee. Unchallenged CME hours include:

  • AAO Annual Convocation
  • AAO Educational Programs
  • AAO Co-Sponsored Programs
  • State Society Conventions*
  • Cranial Academy Educational Offerings
  • SCTF Educational Programs
  • AOA National Annual Convention (must be registered as an AAO member)
  • AAO Component Society Programs (co-sponsored by the AAO)
  • AAO Component Society Programs (NOT sponsored by the AAO)*

    • * Other means of Category 1A CME may be considered on an individual basis, such as AAO Component Society Programs (not co-sponsored by the AAO) and State Society Programs. You MUST send a course outline for consideration of unrecorded hours. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT the programs you think should qualify.

    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 diplomats of the Board acting with a member of the Board.

    Candidates will be required to confirm their intent to test at a scheduled date.

    Examination Re-testing
    Should a candidate for examination fail either the written, oral or practical portion of the certification 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.

    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 SCHEDUTED 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 $1,000.00 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 $1,000.00 test fee for another opportunity to test.

    Requirements for Re-certification in NMM/OMM

    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 diplomat, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

    1. Maintain 150 hours in AOA approved CME in a 36-month period with 50 of those hours being Category 1A in NMM/OMM and documented on your AOA CME printout;
    2. Hold a current unlimited 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 $600.00 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

    Certification in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
    COMPLETED APPLICATION shall be returned 100 days (either by December 1 or August 1 deadline dates) prior to the scheduled examination date to the:

    AOBNMM Coordinator
    c/o American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
    3500 DePauw Boulevard, Suíte 1080
    Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
    It shall be accompanied by:

    1. Photo of Applicant
    2. $200 test fee plus $1,000 exam fee (nonrefundable)
    3. Copies of:
    • Osteopathic College Diploma
    • Osteopathic College Fellowship Certificate
    • Intern Certificate
    • Residency Certificate
    • Current license(s) to practice
    • Signed Candidate Statement/Release
    • Documentation of other formal training
    • Curriculum vitae (optional)
    • AOA CME Printout (available via www.DO-online.org)

    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.

    For more information about the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, please contact Susan Lightle, AOBNMM Coordinator at (317) 879-1881 or slightle@academyofosteopathy.org.