UCNS Expands Certification Eligibility for Doctors of Osteopathy

12-30-2019 Physicians who hold a primary certification by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) are now eligible to apply for UCNS subspecialty certification. The UCNS certification general eligibility criteria for certification has been updated to include doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who have trained at an AOA accredited residency program and are boarded by an AOA Board. The change was approved by the UCNS Board of Directors at its December 2019 meeting and the change will go into effect for all UCNS-recognized subspecialties beginning with the 2020 subspecialty certification examinations.

“The AOA-accredited programs are transitioning over to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education due to the new single accreditation system, however, there are many DOs who completed their training prior to this change and the new UCNS general eligibility criteria change now provides an inclusive opportunity for DOs to pursue UCNS certification,” stated Brenda Riggott, UCNS Executive Director. The updated general eligibility criteria states that applicants for UCNS certification must be a diplomate in good standing of the American Board of Medical Specialties in the specialties that are defined within the subspecialty criteria or possess equivalent certification by the AOA or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

The general eligibility criteria are applicable for all UCNS subspecialty certification examinations. All UCNS-recognized subspecialties have additional unique eligibility criteria that is determined and defined by their subspecialty’s sponsoring organization(s). Complete certification examination eligibility criteria and information for each subspecialty can be found under “Certification” at www.ucns.org.