Frequently Asked Certification and Recertification Questions

Frequently Asked Certification and Recertification Questions Picture

AAOM Certification Program FAQ

Purpose of Certification

The American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine’s purpose in developing the Certification Program is to recognize those physicians that have made the effort to develop their skill in prolotherapy through appropriate coursework and with broad experiential training in Prolotherapy (RIT). The AAOM therefore recognizes only those Candidates for Certification that have attained the full measure of the AAOM requirements. The AAOM Certification occurs through the demonstration of experience and documentation (and confirmation, when required) of required continuing educational activities, to ensure competency and maintain a high standard for AAOM certified physicians. The AAOM Certification, once granted is valid for a five-year period.

AAOM Certification Requirements

  1. Maintain active membership in the AAOM.
  2. Recommendation of two other Physicians, one of which is an active member of AAOM.
  3. A current active state license (M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.P.M., N.D.). 
  4. To apply for Certification you must have:
    1. Attendance at 2 out of the last 4 AAOM Annual meetings 
    2. 100 required course hours (Category 1 Credit) from AAOM programs or approved equivalency courses (see Approved Provider List below)
    3. Candidates must have three years experience in the practice of Prolotherapy (RIT).

AAOM Certification Program Approved Providers

The AAOM has identified the following providers as AAOM Certification Program Approved Providers for CME coursework: American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine (AAOM) (approved CME Hours x 1.5) Hackett – Hemwall Foundation (HHF) The American College of Osteopathic Sclerotherapeutic Pain Management (ACOSPM) Other provider course work will be considered by the certification committee.

AAOM Certification Program Fee structure

  1. Certification fee of $500.00
  2. Application fee of $50.00
  3. Recertification is required every 5 years

AAOM Certification Application Timeline

Those applying for Certification will have 2 years to complete the Application Process once started. Failure to complete the terms of the application in 2 years will forfeit the application and any fees paid.

AAOM Certification Application Form

(see AAOM Certification/Recertification/ Form)

AAOM Certification Random Auditing Process

At the time of Certification, you are only required to submit the AAOM Certification Application, but you must retain all documented proof of obtained credits for one year. Examples of documented proof would include certificate copies, letters of attendance with CME verification, transcripts, copy of first page of article or manuscript showing author, title, publication name, etc. AAOM will audit a percentage of randomly selected AAOM Certification Forms. If audited, you will be required to provide documented proof of all CME’s to the AAOM National Office within 30 days. If you are unable to provide documented proof within 30 days, or it is determined that some CME’s are not applicable your certification will be considered “inactive” and you will have one year to complete the Certification process by providing the documentation or by obtaining new CME’s. All audit paperwork will be reviewed for validity by the AAOM Certification Committee. If all paperwork is complete and the appropriate number of CME’s are earned, the professional will be notified that his credential is valid until the next recertification due date.

AAOM Recertification Program FAQ

  • What is the Purpose of the AAOM Recertification Program?
  • What are the AAOM Recertification Requirements?
  • What is the AAOM Recertification Process?
  • What are the AAOM Certification Fees? My certification is up this year, and I don't have enough credits. Can I have an extension?
  • What if I don't have enough credits to recertify?
  • What is the yearly audit?
  • What does inactive status mean?
  • What is the difference between AAOM approved provider programs and non-AAOM endorsed programs?
  • How do I earn CME’s for workshops that I attend that are not on AAOM approved provider list?
  • How many CME’s do I get for teaching and lecturing?
  • Do CME’s carry over?
  • What should I do with all of my documentation? Where do I send it?
  • I need more CMEs and I don't have time to travel to conferences. How can I obtain additional CMEs?
  • What is the AAOM Certification Application Timeline?
  • What is the AAOM Certification/Recertification Application Form?
  • What is the AAOM Recertification Random Auditing Process?

Purpose of recertification

The AAOM Certification/Recertification program encourages ongoing competency and continuing education and strives to maintain a high standard for our certified physicians. Therefore, all AAOM Certified physicians are required to recertify or renew their Certification every 5 years.

AAOM Recertification Requirements Recertification

A) Continued active membership in AAOM B) Attendance at one AAOM Sponsored Educational event per year C) 100 total hours (Category 1 Credit) of AAOM courses/equivalents (Post certification) in 5 years D) Recertification is required in the 5th year of your Certification E) Recertification Fee is $250 Recertification Process You will receive recertification information during the spring of the year you are due to recertify. In order to recertify you must turn in the AAOM Recertification Form and the recertification fee. Please keep all documentation of CME’s for your records. AAOM will conduct random audits each year. If audited, you will be required to provide documented proof of all credits to the AAAOM National Office.

AAOM Recertification Fees

The AAOM Recertification fee is $250.00.

My certification is up this year, and I don't have enough credits. Can I have an extension?

You will be allowed a "grace year" but you are considered inactive during this year and will be charged a $100 late fee.

What if I don't have enough credits to recertify?

If you do not have the required attendance or enough CME’s to recertify by your recertification due date, you will automatically be given a one-year extension. You do not need to contact AAOM for that extension. During this one-year extension, your certification will be considered inactive. During this time frame, you will not receive any benefits of being certified. All benefits will be re-instated as soon as you submit a complete recertification form and payment. Once the AAOM Certification/Recertification/Renewal Form has been submitted and the appropriate fees have been paid, the next recertification cycle will begin.

AAOM Certification Random Auditing Process

In order to ensure high standards of competency and continuing education, AAOM will process a yearly audit on recertification forms. AAOM will audit a percentage of randomly selected AAOM Certification/Recertification/Renewal Forms submitted the previous year. If audited you will be required to provide documented proof of all CME’s to the AAOM National Office within 30 days. If you are unable to provide documented proof within 30 days, or it is determined that some CME’s are not applicable, your certification will be considered inactive and you will have one year to complete the recertification process by providing the documentation or by obtaining new CME’s. All audit paperwork will be reviewed for validity by the AAOM Certification Committee. If all paperwork is complete and the appropriate number of CME’s are earned, the physician will be notified that his/her credential is valid until the next recertification due date.

What does inactive status mean?

During inactive status, you should not market yourself as having an AAOM Certification. During this period of inactive status, the physician will not receive any benefits of being certified. All benefits will be re-instated as soon as you submit a complete recertification form and payment. If you submit a satisfactory AAOM Certification/Recertification Form during the inactive period, your certification will be reinstated and considered current. If you fail to submit the AAOM Certification/Recertification/Renewal Form by the end of the inactive period your certification will be considered invalid. Once your certification becomes invalid, you are no longer AAOM certified and your certification can only be reinstated by submitting the entire certification package again. If you renew during your inactive year or any time after your original due date, you will be required to pay a $100 late fee.

What is the difference between AAOM approved provider programs and non-AAOM endorsed programs?

How do I earn CME’s for workshops that I attend that are not on AAOM approved provider list?

AAOM’s Certification Committee reviews and endorses providers that meet specific educational guidelines. These are considered AAOM approved providers. If you attend an approved provider program, an attendance verification form will be available to document CMEs. The AAOM Certification Committee will review CMEs, awarded by other professional or clinical organizations for attending their programs without it being pre-approved or endorsed by the AAOM Certification Committee. These are considered non-AAOM endorsed programs. You must obtain documentation from that organization verifying attendance and the number of CME’s earned. The AAOM Certification Committee will review all non- AAOM endorsed programs on a case by case basis.

How many CME’s do I get for teaching and lecturing?

You can claim 1additional CME hour (per contact hour) of teaching as long as the coursework is with an AAOM Approved Provider. You can claim 1additional CME hour (per contact hour) per hour of lecturing if it is a lecture given at an AAOM Approved Provider course. You can earn up to 50% of your CME’s by teaching and lecturing. Documentation stating that you taught the class or gave the lecture along with content will be required should you be audited, i.e., course syllabus, letter from supervisor, meeting brochure showing you as a lecturer. Keep this documentation for your records. If you are audited, we will request all documentation at that time.

Do CME’s carry over?

CME’s are continuing education credits and, as such, do not carry over from one recertification time frame to another.

What should I do with all of my documentation? Where do I send it?

AAOM does not require CME documentation at that time of certification/recertification. Send only the AAOM Certification/Recertification Form and payment. Sign the statement on the form confirming that you meet the requirements to become certified/recertified/renewed. We will send you a new certificate once payment and form are received by the AAOM Certification Committee. If you do not receive a new certificate within 4-6 weeks of sending your form and payment, please contact the AAOM at AAOM@aaomed.org. The following year, AAOM will conduct a random audit. If you are audited, you will have 30 days to send in all documentation to the AAOM review. Please save all CME documentation for one calendar year following the renewal of your certification in case you are audited. I need more CME’s and I don't have time to travel to conferences.

How can I obtain additional CME’s?

AAOM will recognize book chapters and articles published in Peer Reviewed Journals. The AAOM Certification Committee will review all chapters and articles on a case by case basis.