Osteopathic graduate medical education at the residency level includes 49 specialties and subspecialties. Member boards of the ABMS evaluate both allopathic and osteopathic physicians who voluntarily appear for examination and certify as diplomates those candidates who are qualified. Medical specialty boards determine whether candidates have received adequate preparation in accordance with established educational standards, provide comprehensive examinations designed to assess knowledge, skills, and experience requisite to the provision of high quality patient care in that specialty, and certify those candidates who have satisfied the requirements. Many boards require recertification at periodic intervals. Osteopathic physicians are eligible for certification by one of 18 AOA specialty certifying boards after completing an osteopathic residency program and satisfying requirements defined by an osteopathic specialty.
Some boards offer certification in subspecialties or certificates of added qualifications.
The American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award recognizes those physicians who have annually completed and documented 50 or more hours of formal and personal continuing education activities. All formal activities must have been presented by organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.