CAQ: Occupational Medicine

Current Occ Med Basic Course Offerings

About the Certificate of Added Qualification in Occupational & Environmental Medicine 

The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Occupational & Environmental Medicine represents credentialing in the field of medicine. The CAQ is approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) through established criteria and a written exam administered by the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM).

Eligibility

• Be a graduate of a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine
• Satisfactorily complete at least 100 hours of AOA-approved CME within the last five years in occupational medicine. At a minimum, 50 hours will be Category 1. Alternatively, show successful completion of the American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine’s Occupational Medicine Basic Course or comparable review course.
• Maintain general certification through any AOA-approved primary specialty board.
• Hold an unrestricted license to practice in a state or territory.
• Adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics.

FAQ's

• What if I took an allopathic residency?  As long as you have a primary board certification through an Osteopathic Board, you are eligible to get the CAQ.  You can gain primary AOA board certification if you are certified through an ABMS board without additional testing or costs if you are an AOA member, and for a nominal fee if you are not.  https://certification.osteopathic.org/abms-reciprocity/
• What if I am board certified by an allopathic board, but not an osteopathic board?  To get AOA board certified, simply apply for reciprocity, using your MD board certification to get your DO board certification.  

CAQ & Certification

Note 10/22/2021:  The Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) Standards Review committee (SRC) is currently reviewing the CAQ in Occupational Medicine; however, 

For more information and eligibility requirements for a CAQ:  certification.osteopathic.org/preventive-medicine/certification-process/occupational-medicine

or full board certification: Primary Certification in Occupational/Environmental Medicine - American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine

You may also contact:

312-202-8229
[email protected]

Preparing for the CAQ

To prepare for the CAQ examination, it is recommended that in addition to completing a Basic Course in Occupational Medicine, the applicant contact the AOBPM for a list of study materials. 

Also, AOCOPM offers a downloadable Basic Course Review Primer.