Definition of specialty practice

Section 1. For the purpose of the operation of the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology, the following divisions of practice are defined:

1. Anatomic pathology shall include but not be limited to macroscopic and microscopic evaluations in the following: surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, electron microscopy, exfoliative cytology, gynecologic and nongynecologic specimens, and histochemistry.

2. Laboratory medicine (formerly designated as clinical pathology) shall include, but not be limited to: basic and advanced hematology; clinical chemistry and all related procedures; blood banking, immunohematology, and all related procedures; coagulation in all its aspects and all related procedures; micro-biology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, and all related procedures; urinalysis and related procedures; syphilis serology, nonsyphilis serology, immunology, and related procedures; biophysics, including nuclear medicine and related procedures; cytogenetics; and biochemistry.

3. Forensic pathology encompasses all aspects of anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. It shall include, but not be limited to, the following: scene investigation; medicolegal autopsy; estimation of time of death; examination of skeletal remains; death from blunt force; death from stabbing or cutting; gunshot wounds; asphyxial deaths; diagnosis of drowning; death from burns, electrocution, lightning; death from heat stroke and hypothermia; sudden, unexpected natural death; transportation fatalities; death from therapeutic mishaps; stillbirth and infant death; artifacts in forensic pathology; negative autopsy; death from poisoning; artifacts in forensic toxicology; and analytical procedures.

4. The practice of pathology in all of its divisions shall include the utilization of osteopathic concepts and principles, where applicable.

Section 2. Certification of added qualifications.

Certification of added qualifications may be granted in certain categories of pathology, upon documentation of excellence, satisfactory to this Board. These shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) blood banking/transfusion medicine; (2) chemical pathology; (3) cytopathology; (4) dermatopathology; (5) hematology; (6)immunopathology; (7) medical microbiology; and (8) neuropathology.

See also the Web site of the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.

Requirements for certification

Section 1. To be eligible to receive certification from the AOA through the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology, the applicant must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. The applicant must be a graduate of an AOA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine.

2. The applicant must be licensed to practice in the state or territory where his/her practice is conducted.

3. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the AOA or the Canadian Osteopathic Association for the two years immediately prior to the date of certification and is encouraged to be a member of a state or divisional society.

4. The applicant must have satisfactorily completed an AOA-approved internship.

5. The applicant must be able to show evidence of conformity to the standards set in the AOA Code of Ethics.

Section 2. Specialty training requirements:

1. To be eligible for certification in anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine, a period of not less than four (4) years of AOA-approved training in anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine shall be required, after the required one (1) year of internship.

2. To be eligible for certification in anatomic pathology, a period of three (3) years of AOA-approved training in the specialty shall be required, after the required one year of internship.

3. To be eligible for certification in laboratory medicine, a period of three (3) years of AOA-approved training in the specialty shall be required after the required one year of internship.

4. To be eligible for certification in forensic pathology, the candidate must have prior certification in anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. An AOA-approved formal course of study in forensic pathology of not less than one (1) year, acceptable to the Board is required.

5. Oral, written and practical examinations, as described in the Regulations and Requirements of this Board are conducted and required in the case of each applicant.

6. Eligibility for the written, oral and practical portions of the examinations for certification shall be at the first scheduled examinations following:

a. Completion of three (3) years of AOA-approved residency training in either anatomic pathology or laboratory medicine,

or

b. Completion of four (4) years of AOA-approved residency training in anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. An on-site evaluation, as deemed necessary, may be a requirement of the Board.

Section 3. Subject to the recommendations of the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists and to the approval of the AOA Board of Trustees, the Board may require such further training in each of the specialty fields coming under its jurisdiction as in its judgment such field may require provided that the additional requirements for each specialty field are clearly set forth in the Regulations and Requirements of this Board. Additions to requirements shall go into effect one year subsequent to the announcement of such change.

Recertification

The American Osteopathic Board of Pathology shall offer recertification to its diplomates on a voluntary basis for physicians certified prior to January 1, 1995. Recertification is required for diplomates certified after January 1, 1995. The following minimum requirements for recertification are:

1. The applicant must hold certification for a period of not less than eight (8) years prior to applying for recertification. This requirement may be waived under special circumstances by the specialty Board.

2. The applicant must present written evidence of continuous compliance with the initial requirements of the AOA for certification in the particular specialty(ies).

3. The applicant must submit documented evidence, acceptable to the Board, of having attended, presented or participated in a minimum of seventy-five (75) hours of education programs , seminars, lectures or other academic exercises related to the specialty of pathology or any of its divisions, during the preceding three (3) year period.

Certificate Longevity

Certification by the AOA through the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology is valid for ten (10) years, beginning with certificates issued after January 1, 1995.