AOBPMR PM&R
American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AOBPMR) Certification Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AOBPMR) is an AOA specialty certifying board that awards osteopathic board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with conjoint pathways listed in Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Sports Medicine, plus an OMT Designation. Certification is aimed at osteopathic physiatrists who have completed accredited PM&R training and want a quality marker recognized by patients, employers, and credentialers. The process has two examination stages: a Part I Written Exam and a Part II Oral Exam, followed by lifelong maintenance through Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC), whose Component 4 is a longitudinal assessment. The board publishes exam dates and deadlines, remote exam preparation guidance, board policies, and test accommodation information on its site. Because the published domain weighting, item counts, and pass standards are not stated on the board's public pages, candidates should confirm current requirements directly with the board before registering. Preparation should combine a structured review of the full PM&R breadth - musculoskeletal and neurologic rehabilitation, electrodiagnosis, prosthetics and orthotics, spasticity and pain management, brain and spinal cord injury, and pediatric rehabilitation - with practice articulating clinical reasoning aloud, since the oral exam tests judgment and case management rather than recall alone.
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About AOBPMR PM&R preparation
What is the difference between the Part I Written Exam and the Part II Oral Exam?
Part I is a written examination; Part II is an oral examination. The board lists them as separate events on its exam calendar, with Part II scheduled for April 18, 2026 and the Part I Written Exam for October 15, 2026. Confirm sequencing and eligibility rules with the board before applying.
How do I apply and register?
Applications and registrations are handled through the AOA Certification Portal, reachable from the board's My Certification Center quick actions. The same portal is used for exam results, exam dates and deadlines, and longitudinal assessment registration. Review eligibility criteria on the board's Information for Candidates pages first.
When are the upcoming exams?
Per the board's published important dates, the Part II Oral Exam is April 18, 2026, the Part I Written Exam is October 15, 2026, and longitudinal assessment registration runs September 8 through November 18, 2026. Always verify against the live Exam Dates & Deadlines page, since schedules can change.
How hard is the exam, and what trips candidates up?
The board does not publish pass rates or difficulty ratings, so treat any specific figure you hear as unofficial. The most common self-reported stumbling blocks are uneven coverage - over-studying one subspecialty while neglecting electrodiagnosis, pediatric rehabilitation, or prosthetics - and, for Part II, weak verbal organization of differentials and management plans.
What if I fail - can I retake it?
Retake and reapplication rules are governed by board policy, which is published under Board Policies on the board's site. The public pages do not state a retake limit, waiting period, or fee, so confirm the current terms with the board directly rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
How should I order my study plan?
Start with a broad diagnostic pass across the full PM&R curriculum to find weak areas, then concentrate review time on those while keeping short weekly maintenance reviews of strong topics. Finish with timed practice under exam-like conditions and, for Part II, rehearse spoken case presentations with a colleague who can challenge your reasoning.
What is OCC Component 4, and when do I deal with it?
Component 4 is the longitudinal assessment within Osteopathic Continuous Certification, the process for maintaining certification after initial board certification. Registration for the 2026 administration opens September 8 and closes November 18, 2026. The assessment is taken through the AOA Learning Portal.
Are test accommodations available?
Yes - the board maintains a Test Accommodations page describing the process for requesting accommodations. Because documentation requirements and deadlines are set by board policy and are not detailed on the public landing page, contact the board early, well before your scheduled exam date, to allow time for review.
Does the exam cover osteopathic manipulative treatment?
The board offers an OMT Designation as a separate recognition alongside primary PM&R certification, and lists it in its navigation as a distinct item. Whether OMT content appears on the Part I or Part II exams is not specified on the public pages; check the board's exam blueprint or ask the board directly.