Outlined are the general regulations related to practice and training requirements for examination candidates and the requirements for Certificate and Associate level examinations of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (CBOM).

All candidates require a medical degree acceptable to the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine and a valid current license to practice medicine in any Canadian province or territory to sit any of the CBOM exams.

Requirements for Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine Examination Candidates:

These are the requirements for associate, certificant and fellow of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (CBOM).

Applicants should study carefully the eligibility requirements before requesting a review of their qualifications for examination. A fee is charged which must accompany the application and is not refundable. Examination eligibility is valid for three years from the date of assessment.

The CBOM Membership chairperson assesses the training and experience of each applicant.

Associate in the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (ACBOM) 

No specific work experience is required for eligibility. The candidate obtains ACBOM status by successfully taking a written examination which tests occupational medicine principles and knowledge based on a syllabus and occupational medicine bibliography. This is not an easy examination and applicants are encouraged to take occupational medical training for example through a distance learning program, a diploma, a fellowship, or a master’s degree. Formal training is not required, though it improves the chances of success in the examination. 

ACBOM Registration

Certificant in the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (CCBOM) 

The CCBOM applicant must have three years of acceptable occupational medicine experience. Credit for part time practice is calculated as follows: (6 years at 50% of time = 3 years, 10 years at 30% of time = 3 years, etc.) Practice equivalency of up to two years may be granted for residency, teaching, or other approved academic post-graduate work in occupational medicine. One year may be credited at the discretion of the Membership chairperson for relevant continuing medical education experience. Assessment and treatment of occasional workers as part of a usual family, emergency, or similar practice is not considered occupational medicine experience in the determination of practice equivalency. Eligible candidates obtain CCBOM status by successfully taking an oral examination which tests their ability to apply occupational medicine principles and knowledge to practical clinical and workplace situations, at the level expected of a CCBOM.

CCBOM Registration

*must have successfully completed ACBOM & be logged-in to register*

Fellow in the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (FCBOM) 

To be eligible to write the FCBOM, a candidate must have five years of occupational medicine experience as defined by the same criteria used for the CCBOM above. Upon approval of a research topic by the CBOM examination committee, the candidate obtains FCBOM status by completing a research project and preparing a comprehensive written report which contributes to the state of the art regarding the selected topic. This research project should demonstrate an ability to critically select, analyze, and evaluate pertinent literature and develop an evidence-based approach to the incorporation of research findings to an occupational medicine practice. Candidates must also complete (a) an oral examination based on their research project, given by experienced occupational physician examiners, who will assess the quality of their research and analytical skills, and (b) an oral examination which tests their ability to apply occupational medicine principles and knowledge to practical clinical and workplace situations, at the level expected of a FCBOM.

FCBOM Registration

*must have successfully completed CCBOM & be logged-in to register*

Note:

1. Successful candidates at any of these three levels of accreditation, upon payment of an annual membership fee, become members of CBOM.
2. Successful completion of each level is a pre-requisite to the next level.
3. Candidates can take the examinations for as many levels (for which they are eligible) as they wish during the annual examination process. The candidate’s accreditation status is determined by the highest level successfully completed.
4. Partial success during the examination process (for example, success in the project and that portion of the oral examination relating to the project) is retained and candidates who wish to upgrade will be tested on only the outstanding requirements.

If you require further information contact: CBOM@secretariatcentral.com