Licensure, board certification, state examinations or where do I take the test to see which tests I have to take?
It's good that doctors have proven themselves to be good at taking tests, because you will continue to have testing experiences after graduation from medical school and through your life of practice.
The issue of ‘board exams’ can be confusing, so let’s look at some definitions and examples.
Licensure board exams are taken to obtain a license. Certification board exams signify additional training and specialization. Licensure exams are designed to protect the public, and standards include those items that a physician must meet to safely practice medicine. Board exams test additional training and achievement,
Specialty Board Exams: Upon completion of residency, you will be considered “board-eligible,” meaning that you have fulfilled the requirements for specialty board certification, but have not yet taken the required exam.
The osteopathic profession and the allopathic profession each has its own set of specialty colleges and administers its own specialty certification board exams. Osteopathic physicians who have completed an allopathic residency program may be eligible to take the allopathic certification exams. Osteopathic physicians who have completed allopathic residency programs may be eligible to take the osteopathic board specialty exams. Check with the AOA and the specialty college to learn which requirements exist for this option. Some osteopathic physicians who have completed allopathic residency programs elect to take BOTH the osteopathic and allopathic specialty board certification exams.
Go back and check-out Managing the Maze (ppt) for additional information. (Note: Before viewing Managing the Maze, you must choose 'read only' on the first screen that appears.)