The Osteopathic Cranial Academy Proficiency Examination has been established to designate those in the OCA membership who demonstrate clinical skills in osteopathic diagnosis and treatment, utilizing the cranial concept. For a list of members who have successful completed the examination see our Recognition of Proficiency page.  [Note:  the Osteopathic Cranial Academy is not a certifying body, and Proficiency Testing is not the equivalent of Board Certification.]

We encourage all qualified members of The Osteopathic Cranial Academy to sit for the Proficiency Examination. Those members who are interested should contact The Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA) directly. Essential documentation will be provided to assist you in your preparation. Though the OCA endeavors to keep the information on this page up to date, it remains the responsibility of the examinee to ensure that their information is current.

Application Deadline with Case Study: November 30 each year
Date of Written, Practical, and Oral Examination: The following June at the OCA Annual Conference
Proficiency Exam Application
Example Case Study
Application Fee: $100.00
Examination Fee: $150.00

Prerequisites

  1. Successful Completion of two OCA-approved 40 Hour introductory courses in osteopathy in the cranial field (OCF).
  2. A minimum of 100 hours of OCF-related Category 1-A AOA Continuing Medical Education credits must be completed. These CME credits must be obtained following graduation from residency (or equivalent), and may not include the first 40-hour Introductory Course.
  3. Associate Membership or Regular Membership in The Osteopathic Cranial Academy.
  4. Use of the method of William G. Sutherland, DO, in clinical practice.
  5. Payment of the established application and examination fees.

The examination may be taken after a minimum of three (3) years – (5) five years recommended – of clinical practice following successful completion of an approved introductory course in osteopathy in the cranial field. OMM Residency and OMM Teaching Fellowship may be applied toward the three (3) years of clinical experience, provided they occur after successful completion of an approved Introductory Course. Internships and other residencies do not apply toward the experience requirement.

Protocol

A case presentation consisting of:

  1. A thorough history and physical examination
  2. Pertinent laboratory tests
  3. A thorough structural evaluation including cranial findings
  4. Initial assessment / interpretation of findings
  5. A medical, surgical and structural diagnoses (inclusive of ICD10 codes)
  6. Discussion of initial treatment including the naming of specific techniques and areas of application
  7. Discussion of course of treatment:
    1. Subsequent evaluations and treatment with mention of specific somatic dysfunctions with techniques utilized in treatment
  8. Overview of case:
    1. Osteopathic reasoning and relationship of structural findings to overall diagnosis and management of the patient.
    2. Include appropriate applications of osteopathic principles to this patient (e.g., viscerosomatic, somatovisceral, Chapman’s reflexes).
    3. Note atypical findings
  9. Use of citations and bibliography format of JAOA Guidelines for References
  10. Use of standard terminology

An examination consisting of a written, oral and practical sections.

The written examination will consist of questions on:

  • Basic anatomy
  • Physiology of the primary respiratory mechanism
  • Clinical applications of cranial osteopathy

 

Please note: