CAQ-OccMed study guide
CAQ-OccMed · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Occupational Medicine is an AOA osteopathic board certification administered by the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM), one of the AOA specialty certifying boards. The AOBPM lists a single dated administration for this credential: the "AOBPM CAQ Occupational Medicine Initial and Recertification Examination" on Oct. 15, 2026 - the same date on which the board schedules its written and oral examinations in Aerospace Medicine, Occupational/Environmental Medicine, and Public Health/Community Medicine. The CAQ pathway is intended for osteopathic physicians who want to document added expertise in occupational medicine alongside another primary board certification, and it is offered in both an initial and a recertification version. The AOBPM does not publish, on the pages available here, the item count, time limit, passing standard, fee, retake rules, or validity period for this examination, so candidates should confirm those details directly with the board through its Certification Portal before registering. Preparation should follow the board's own infrastructure: apply through the Certification Portal, review the Exam Registration, Exam Dates & Deadlines, Remote Exam Preparation, and Board Policies pages, and use the posted test-accommodation and OMT designation processes where relevant. Topics on this exam: Occupational Medicine. The CAQ-OccMed study guide has 1 section and about 483 words.
01Occupational Medicine (CAQ-OccMed)
Occupational Medicine is the single domain of the CAQ-OccMed exam. Items are scenario-based: you act as plant physician or consultant and must pick the answer that is both clinically sound and legally required - linking an exposure to a diagnosis, then applying OSHA, ADA, DOT and workers' compensation rules. OSHA recordkeeping: a case is recordable when work-related and it causes death, days away, restricted work or transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosis. Enter it on the 300 log within 7 calendar days; report a fatality within 8 hours and an amputation, loss of an eye or in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours.
483 words, about 2 minMore study resources for CAQ-OccMed
- Practice questionsA worker in a battery plant has a blood lead level of 45 µg/dL confirmed on a second sample.
- FlashcardsHierarchy of Controls. Ranking of hazard controls by effectiveness: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.
- Cheat sheetHazard–exposure–dose–response chain: identify hazard, characterize exposure route (inhalation, dermal, ingestion, injection), quantify dose, then compare to occupational exposure limits (OELs) such as TLV-TWA, PEL, REL, and STEL.
- Key termsOccupational disease. A health condition caused or made worse mainly by work-related exposure or activity.
- Study planMap the CAQ-OccMed content outline into a one-page topic inventory covering surveillance, exposure assessment, fitness-for-duty, and regulatory reporting.
- Common mistakesCandidates carry over a clinical reflex that 'earlier detection is better' and forget that occupational screening must have a defined at-risk exposure group, an accepted latent period, a validated test, and a pathway to intervention with demonstrated benefit.
- Exam-day guideBring the original, unexpired ID in the name on your registration.