Everything You Need to Know about the OCE
From application due dates and examination fees to yearly statistics, we have everything you need to know about applying for and taking the Oral Certifying Examination.
OCE Statistics
2020
| Times Taken |
Total Taking Examination |
Total Passing Examination |
Pass Rate |
| First Time Candidates |
260 |
212 |
81% |
| Repeat Candidates |
62 |
32 |
51% |
| Total / Overall |
322 |
244 |
75% |
2019
| Times Taken |
Total Taking Examination |
Total Passing Examination |
Pass Rate |
| First Time Candidates |
247 |
217 |
88% |
| Repeat Candidates |
55 |
32 |
58% |
| Total / Overall |
302 |
249 |
82% |
2018
| Times Taken |
Total Taking Examination |
Total Passing Examination |
Pass Rate |
| First Time Candidates |
223 |
171 |
76% |
| Repeat Candidates |
63 |
32 |
51% |
| Total / Overall |
286 |
203 |
71% |
2017
| Times Taken |
Total Taking Examination |
Total Passing Examination |
Pass Rate |
| First Time Candidates |
201 |
152 |
76% |
| Repeat Candidates |
56 |
27 |
48% |
| Total / Overall |
257 |
179 |
70% |
Timeline
It is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware and meet all deadlines.
Note: Due to Covid-19, the 2021 OCE was postponed to August 2021 (see dates below). The 2022 OCE is still set to take place in February of 2022 and applications will open in June of 2021.
2021 Oral Certifying Examination
| Examination Application Opens |
June 16, 2020 |
| Application and Examination Fee Due |
October 2, 2020 |
| Individualized Candidate Test Date Information |
June 2021 |
| Examination Administered (Raleigh, NC) |
August 23-27, 2021 |
| Examination Results |
October 2021 |
2022 Oral Certifying Examination
| Examination Application Opens |
June 15, 2021 |
| Application and Examination Fee Due |
September 24, 2021 |
| Individualized Candidate Test Date Information |
December 2021 |
| Examination Administered (Raleigh, NC) |
January 31 - February 4, 2022 |
| Examination Results |
March 2022 |
*Disclaimer ABOMS reserves the right to change certification or application requirements and deadlines for future examinations. The Board may, at its discretion, approve or deny any Candidate for examination or certification who does not fully satisfy application or credentials requirements.