About International Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine, as practiced in the United States, continues to gain recognition throughout the world. The American Osteopathic Association has assigned responsibility for international activities to the Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (BIOMEA). The Bureau, which was founded in 1996, holds regular meetings in the fall and the spring with an annual report presented to the AOA House of Delegates at the annual business meeting in July. Council activities include:

• Monitoring of licensing and registration practices in countries outside of the United States, particularly as it affects osteopathic medical education, and advancing the recognition of American-trained DOs.
• Contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other international health organizations.
• An international seminar and poster session at the AOA's annual convention.
• Distribution of information on international activities of interest.
• Distribution of information about the AOA and American osteopathic medicine to interested parties outside of the U.S.
• Coordination of international activity with osteopathic medical students, colleges of osteopathic medicine and interested specialty colleges

To search for a copy of the AOA’s International Licensure Summary, please logon to the members-only section of DO-Online.

International Practice Rights

Osteopathic physicians currently have unlimited practice rights in roughly 45 countries, with partial practice rights in several more. Learn more by visiting the International Licensure page.