The Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine was incorporated on the 16th of October 1980, to “encourage the study, improve the practice and elevate the standards of occupational medicine throughout Canada.”

It is believed that an incentive for attaining higher qualifications in occupational medicine will lead to higher standards of professional service to workers and the public.

In order to “recognize those physicians who have distinguished themselves in the practice of occupational medicine” five categories of CBOM membership were established:

Category 1. FELLOWSHIP STATUS (FCBOM)

• Active members who have prepared a research report and have passed an examination of the Board to qualify for fellowship status.

Category 2. CERTIFICATE STATUS (CCBOM)

• Active members who have passed an examination of the Board to qualify for certification.
  

• Active members who have passed an examination of the Board to qualify for associate certification.

Category 4. MEMBER THROUGH DISTINCTION

• Physicians who have served with distinction in the field of occupational medicine who have been nominated by the CBOM Board of Governors, or other organizations such as the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada, the Occupational Health Section of the provincial or territorial Medical Association where the nominee carries on his/her practice, or l’Association des médecins du travail du Québec, and whose applications for admission have received the approval of the Board of Governors.

Category 5. EMERITUS MEMBER

• Membership automatically offered to CCBOM or ACBOM members in good standing at the time of full retirement from occupational medicine.

Note: Annual dues are waived for members in categories 4 and 5. Emeritus Members are entitled to use the designation of CCBOM or ACBOM in perpetuity.