Osteopathic postdoctoral training programs are recognized throughout the United States in federal and state laws, rules and regulations. As the only accrediting agency for osteopathic graduate medical education, the AOA reviews and approves all training standards, establishes general policy, and reviews and approves all postdoctoral training programs.
Program Site Reviews
Inspection documents for AOA-approved postdoctoral training programs. View the documents.
Specialty Standards
Basic standards and inspection workbooks for AOA Postdoctoral Training Programs, organized by specialty college. Internship standards are listed separately. View the standards.
Postdoctoral Training Councils
Council on Postdoctoral Training
The COPT is a representative body composed of members from AOA affiliate organizations created to assure that postdoctoral training programs are operating within approved standards, rules and regulations, and are providing educational training satisfactory to the public interest. Read the 
Handbook of the Council on Postdoctoral Training.
Program and Trainee Review Council
The primary responsibilities of the PTRC are to serve as the decision making body for AOA-approved internship, residency, fellowship and subspecialty training programs and for individual training approvals. In this capacity, actions of the PTRC are final. The Council also serves as an advisory body on policy to the COPT. View the Handbook of the Program and Trainee Review Council.
Council on Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions
The COPTI is the initial review body for OPTI accreditation and makes recommendations to the BOE for final action. Learn more by viewing the OPTI Accreditation Handbook.