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Family Medicine Obstetrics: Board Certification Exam Overview

Pregnant woman In face mask getting vaccinatedThe Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics® (BCFMO), which is governed by the American Board of Physician Specialties®, offers two options for certification—Family Medicine Obstetrics and Family Medicine Obstetrics With Surgical Qualification. Exams for the surgical option consist of a computer-based written test and an oral examination covering five case studies. The exam for the non-surgical option is the written test only. The written portion is offered at testing centers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico once a year (May), while the oral exam is offered once annually (October) in Tampa, Florida.

The Written BCFMO Exam

The computer-based written exam is composed of 200 multiple-choice questions. The topics covered include:

  • Pre-conception
  • Prenatal care
  • Pregnancy complications (infectious disease, cardiopulmonary, endocrine, etc.)
  • Labor
  • Delivery
  • Postpartum
  • Neonatal care

Study references are available. A list can be found at this link.

The Oral BCFMO Exam

The oral exam covers five case studies, which reflect typical cases seen by Family Medicine Obstetrics specialists. Candidates are asked by ABPS-certified physicians to address case details in the following categories:

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination
  • Labs and tests
  • Management
  • Diagnosis
  • Disposition
  • Pathophysiology

Candidates must first pass the written exam and submit verification of competency to become eligible to take the oral portion. Candidates may attempt the written and oral portions three times to attain a passing score. If no passing score is achieved after three attempts, a candidate must reapply.

Eligibility Requirements for Certification With the BCFMO

To be eligible to apply for initial board certification with the BCFMO, an applicant must first satisfy the general requirements of the ABPS. These include being a graduate of a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine and holding a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

The BCFMO has its own eligibility requirements for the two pathways, which include:

  • Completing an ACGME- or AOA-accredited residency in family medicine, or a family medicine residency accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
  • Current board certification in family medicine granted by a Member Board of the ABPS, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the AOA, the RCPSC, or the CFPC.
  • The Family Medicine Obstetrics (non-surgical) certification requires a log of non-surgical deliveries and successful completion of the written certification exam.

The Family Medicine Obstetrics with Surgical Qualification certification requires completion of a 12-month, full-time BCFMO-approved fellowship in family medicine obstetrics, or five years ongoing clinical practice delivering obstetrical care, an additional log of cesarean deliveries, and successful completion of the written and oral exam.

To learn more about the BCFMO examination, or for information about eligibility requirements, contact the ABPS. The ABPS is the official multi-specialty board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.®

 

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Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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