AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry
AOBNP Initial Primary Exam - Neurology and Psychiatry
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP) is an AOA specialty certifying board that offers initial primary board certification in Neurology and in Psychiatry, listed on its site alongside subspecialty pathways including Neurophysiology, Child/Adolescent Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and conjoint certificates in Addiction Medicine, Hospice/Palliative Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. Candidates are osteopathic physicians completing the AOBNP certification process, which the board describes as including required exams and eligibility criteria; eligibility details, board policies, test accommodations, and remote exam preparation information are published on the board's own pages. The initial Neurology and initial Psychiatry exams are administered on April 15, 2027, with the application window running October 15, 2026 through March 15, 2027. Certification is maintained afterward through Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC), whose components include a longitudinal assessment. To prepare, work from the board's published exam dates and deadlines, review its board policies and remote exam preparation guidance, confirm eligibility before the application window closes, and build a study plan weighted across the two content areas - neurology and psychiatry - that define the primary exams. Verify all specifics directly with AOBNP, since the board revises dates and requirements.
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About AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry preparation
What is the AOBNP initial primary exam?
It is the entry-level board certification exam offered by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry in two primary specialties: Neurology and Psychiatry. The board's site lists these as the AOBNP Initial Neurology and Initial Psychiatry Exams, administered on April 15, 2027.
When can I apply, and when is the exam?
The application window for the AOBNP Initial Primary Exams in Neurology and Psychiatry runs October 15, 2026 through March 15, 2027. The exams are administered April 15, 2027. Confirm current deadlines on the board's Exam Dates & Deadlines page before submitting, since dates are periodically revised.
What format is the exam?
The board's public pages do not publish item counts, time limits, or a breakdown of question formats for the initial primary exams. Treat any specific figure you see elsewhere as unverified and check the board's Exam Registration and Remote Exam Preparation pages for authoritative format information.
How is the exam scored, and what is the passing score?
AOBNP does not publish a passing score on the pages reviewed here, and results are released through the board's Certification Portal. Because standard-setting can change between administrations, do not plan around a borrowed number - rely on the score report you receive after sitting the exam.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it?
Retake rules, waiting periods, and any fees are governed by AOBNP board policies rather than summarized on the public landing pages. Review the board's Board Policies section and contact the board directly for the current retake process before assuming a timeline.
How should I sequence my studying?
Start with eligibility and application logistics, since the window closes March 15, 2027. Then build content review weighted to your primary specialty, with deliberate coverage of the other discipline, because the primary exams are distinct credentials in Neurology and Psychiatry rather than a combined general exam.
What are the most common failure modes?
Candidates most often lose points by under-preparing the non-primary discipline, treating the exam as a general knowledge test rather than a specialty-specific one, and missing application deadlines. Practical failures also matter: skipping the board's remote exam preparation guidance and test accommodation requests filed too late.
How do I keep certification after passing?
Certification is maintained through Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC), which the board organizes into components including a longitudinal assessment. The 2026 Longitudinal Assessment runs January 26 through November 30, 2026, and applications for the 2027 Longitudinal Assessment are accepted August 1 through November 30, 2026.
Are subspecialty exams offered at the same time?
Yes. On April 15, 2027 the board also administers Initial Subspecialty and OCC Subspecialty Exams in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry and the Subspecialty in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry, with applications accepted October 15, 2026 through March 15, 2027 - the same window as the primary exams.