Emerging Professionals Membership

The AOCA welcomes doctors actively engaged in an ACGME-approved residency training program in anesthesiology and full-time students desiring to pursue a career in anesthesiology to apply for complimentary student or resident membership. The College encourages and supports emerging professionals through key career milestones and offers emerging professionals an opportunity to network with practicing anesthesiologists and residency programs.

The College is comprised of dedicated leaders who share a commitment to building solutions to the challenges medical students face who are interested in practicing anesthesiology. AOCA is thankful to include many student voices on our active committees and looks forward to welcoming new students into the professional home for future and current physician anesthesiologists working to advance and promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic anesthesiology.

Our online application is your gateway to all the privileges and benefits of membership in the AOCA.

Joining the AOCA is easy:

1. Choose from the categories below. Once you click on the Join Now button below, you will be taken to an application.
2. Create a Username and Password and fill out the application.

Timothy D. Ernst AOCA Resident of the Year Award

The Timothy D. Ernst AOCA Resident of the Year Award is designated to provide up to two residents with an opportunity to attend the AOCA Annual Convention in honor of Dr. Timothy D. Ernst who had a passion for education and always strived to help and mentor residents. The grant includes $1,000, plus complimentary meeting registration, and lodging at the convention hotel.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College and must be supported by a Program Director. 
• The deadline for submissions is April 22.

AOF Resident of the Year Award

The Outstanding Resident of the Year (OROTY) Award recognizes and honors outstanding residents who embody a great spirit of altruism and whose combination of clinical promise, leadership, dedication, and commitment to Osteopathic--centered patient care separates them from their peers. The AOF’s Outstanding Resident of the Year Award is given annually to honor and co-recognize one outstanding resident per specialty and acknowledge professional excellence within the profession. A monetary award of $5,000 will be presented to one (1) recipient from each participating Specialty during OMED.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College and must be supported by a Program Director.
• The deadline for submissions is April 22.

Scientific Abstract Presentation Awards

bstract submissions will be accepted for presentation at the AOCA 2025 Annual Convention & Conclave. Abstracts are accepted in two categories, complex case and scientific investigation. The peer-reviewed and accepted abstracts will be presented in a moderated poster scientific session on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Resident and Student presenters are eligible for monetary recognition for the top abstracts.

• The deadline for submissions is April 22.
• Complex Case
• Scientific Investigation

AOBA Certification Exams

American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) initial certification exams are administered annually by remote proctor through MonitorEDU/Paradigm.

Key Deadline Dates:

Primary Written Exam: Aug. 7, 2025
Application period: Feb. 7 – July 8, 2025
First application deadline: June 8, 2025 ($500 exam fee)
Final application deadline: July 8, 2025
Between June 9 and July 8, 2025, the exam fee is $650 ($500 exam fee + $150 late fee)

Subspecialty Exams: Aug. 14, 2025
(Critical Care Medicine, Pain Management, Pediatric Anesthesiology)
Application period: Feb. 14, 2025 – July 15, 2025
First application deadline: June 15, 2025 ($600 exam fee)
Final application deadline: July 15, 2025
Between June 16 and July 15, 2025, the exam fee is $780 ($600 exam fee + $180 late fee)
Note: Successful completion of the Primary Certification Exam is required prior to registration for Subspecialty Exams.

Primary Oral Exam: Oct. 18, 2025
Application period: April 18 – Aug. 18, 2025
First application deadline: July 18, 2025 ($1,000 exam fee)
Final application deadline: Aug. 18, 2025
Between July 19 and Aug. 18, 2025, the exam fee is $1,300 ($1,000 exam fee + $300 late fee)
Note: Successful completion of the Primary Written Exam is required prior to registration for the Primary Oral Exam.

Primary Spring Clinical Exam: April – Sept. 2025
Application period: Oct. 1, 2024 – March 2, 2025
First application deadline: Jan. 31, 2025 ($2,000 exam fee)
Final application deadline: March 2, 2025
Between Feb. 1 and March 2, 2025, the exam fee is $2,600 ($2,000 exam fee + $600 late fee)
Note: Upon approval of your application and supporting documentation, your Clinical Examination will be scheduled. Please note that dates are not yet determined. Successful completion of both the Primary Written and Primary Oral Exams is required prior to registration for the Primary Clinical Exam.

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