AOBD Dermatology study guide
AOBD Dermatology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD) is an AOA specialty certifying board that offers osteopathic board certification in Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and a Conjoint Dermatopathology examination. Certification is aimed at osteopathic physicians (DOs) who have completed approved dermatology training and want a quality marker recognized by patients, employers, and credentialers. The AOBD publishes a certification process for each of these pathways, plus an Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) program with four components and a longitudinal assessment for maintaining certification after initial board certification. Candidates move through application, registration, and exam steps; the board posts exam dates and deadlines, remote exam preparation guidance, board policies, test accommodation information, and an OMT designation option. The AOBD Dermatology study guide has 4 sections and about 1,248 words.
01General Dermatology: Morphology, Diagnosis, and Core Therapeutics
Most general dermatology questions are morphology questions in disguise. Build a habit: identify the primary lesion (macule, papule, plaque, nodule, vesicle, bulla, pustule, wheal), then describe distribution (acral, flexural, extensor, dermatomal, sun-exposed), arrangement (linear, annular, grouped, reticulated), and evolution (acute vs chronic, scarring vs non-scarring).
325 words, about 2 min02Pediatric Dermatology: Age-Specific Patterns and Pitfalls
Newborn skin has distinct physiology: a thinner stratum corneum, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and immature thermoregulation. This makes topical absorption higher and toxicity risk greater.
326 words, about 2 min03Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Technique, Indications, and Margin Logic
Mohs micrographic surgery achieves complete margin control by excising tissue, mapping it, and examining 100% of the peripheral and deep margins in a single horizontal plane. This contrasts with conventional vertical "bread-loaf" sections, which sample only a fraction of the margin.
329 words, about 2 min04Dermatopathology: Pattern Recognition and Clinicopathologic Correlation
Dermatopathology questions reward a systematic pattern approach. First decide the reaction pattern: spongiotic, psoriasiform, lichenoid, interface, vesiculobullous, granulomatous, or panniculitic.
268 words, about 1 min