General Examination Information

All the examination modules are administered at numerous Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. Approved Candidates  have 4 years to take all exams and submit all documents required for NCCAOM. All National Board Exams are scheduled with Pearson Vue testing center over the phone at (888)-235-7649 or online at Pearson VUE website.

NCCAOM Examination Format

The adaptive examinations are offered in English and delivered in a computerized format that consist of 100 multiple choice questions. One question appears at a time on the computer screen and may include visual materials such as graphs or photographs. Once the candidate selects their answer, they can move to the next question. It is important to note that the candidate is not able to go back to review or change answers once they have moved to the next question.

The NCCAOM examinations are also offered in the Chinese and Korean language. Due to the complexity of the foreign language examinations, they are scheduled only when an identified number of candidates are registered per examination. The exams are offered in a computer-based, fixed form (linear) that consist of 100 multiple choice questions. Unlike the adaptive examinations, at the end of the test, the candidate has the opportunity to go back and review and/or change previously answered questions.

English Language Exams

Please note that the Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM) exam is currently unavailable and will not be administered between now and January 31, 2018. Administration of the year-round, adaptive FOM exam module will begin February 1, 2018. Registration for FOM adaptive exam starts on December 1, 2017.

Adaptive examination modules offered year round – English:

Acupuncture with Point Location
Foundations of Oriental Medicine (starting February 1, 2018)
Biomedicine
Chinese Herbology

Foreign Language Exams

The NCCAOM examinations are also offered in the Chinese and Korean language. Due to the complexity of the foreign language examinations, they are scheduled only when an identified number of candidates are registered per examination. The exams are offered in computer-based, fixed form (linear) that consist of 100 multiple choice questions. Unlike the adaptive examinations, at the end of the test, the candidate has the opportunity to go back and review and/or change previously answered questions. Dates of examination administrations are outlined in the table below:

* Korean Language Exam may be cancelled if not enough candidates registered.

Reinstatement Exams

The NCCAOM has created a path to certification reinstatement for former Diplomates who are in terminated status. This route confirms competency through assessment and continuing education. Dates of reinstatement exams administrations are outlined in the table below:

2017 Exam  Administration Changes

In the interest of increasing the number of updated exam items to be used for scoring on the exams, the NCCAOM will be administering computer-based, fixed form (linear) Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM) exams during the second half of 2017 which will accomplish the goal more quickly.

The FOM exam module will be offered in a fixed form (linear) format for two, 2-week exam administration periods during August 14-26, 2017 and November 6-18, 2017.

Administration of the year-round, adaptive FOM exam module will conclude after June 30, 2017. Registration and rescheduling for all FOM adaptive exam dates will close end of day on May 31, 2017. Register as soon as possible for dates up through the end of June 30, 2017.

Below is a table of comparison of the adaptive and linear format administrations:

Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM) Module
August and November 2017