Occupational and Environmental Complementary Pathway (OEM-CP) Program

• Submission of 30 clinical notes for faculty review and feedback. Cases must be sufficiently complex to evaluate decision-making, documentation quality, and quality of care. Notes should represent the full range of the physician’s current practice (e.g., Commercial Driver Exams, IMEs, employment exams, workers’ compensation cases, consultations, surveillance activities).
• Presentation and discussion of active clinical cases during weekly seminars.
• Completion of 8 months of direct patient care in an occupational and environmental medicine setting.
  

• Development of an academic product, such as a research project, quality improvement initiative, conference presentation, manuscript, or abstract submission.
• Completion of all asynchronous assignments.
• Active participation in seminars and journal clubs, including preparation of readings and cases.

• Achievement of ACGME OEM resident milestones, assessed through faculty chart review and employer evaluation.
• Maintenance of a current, unrestricted medical license and professional liability insurance throughout the program.
• Continued employment in an occupational and environmental medicine role during the training year.
• Maintenance of a current Business Agreement with the employer, with updates if employment changes.
• Clinical Competency Committee review to determine successful completion.
• Protection of one half-day per week, free from clinical or administrative obligations, for participation in academic activities.
  

The OEM-CP application period is now open for the 2026 cohort, starting August 1, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, please complete the following two-part application process: 

1. Submit your application and associated documents here.

2. Submit your application payment here.

Please note that both steps must be completed in order to be successfully apply for the OEM-CP Program. Non-complete applications will not be reviewed. 

This program has two primary goals:

1. To advance the academic and clinical knowledge of physicians practicing occupational and environmental medicine, ultimately improving care and outcomes for workers with occupational illnesses and injuries.
2. To provide a pathway toward board certification through the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) for physicians who may not otherwise meet eligibility requirements within the specialty in which they practice.

The OEM Complementary Pathway Program is designed for licensed physicians who are already practicing occupational and environmental medicine and are ready to pursue board eligibility — without leaving their current position.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Have completed a clinical residency or have ≥2 years of clinical residency training
• Have ≥1 year of OEM practice experience
• Are currently in an OEM position
• Hold an MPH or equivalent (or are working toward one)*

*A completed MPH or equivalent is required by ABPM for board eligibility. An MPH is not required to apply. CSPH offers online MPH programs.

Not sure if OEM-CP is the right path? We offer multiple training options.

The Centers for Health, Work & Environment offer training programs at every stage of your career:

*A completed MPH or equivalent is required by ABPM. CSPH offers online MPH programs.

No. Physicians are responsible for obtaining an MPH prior to, concurrently with, or after completing the program. The Colorado School of Public Health offers both in-person and online MPH programs, as do other accredited institutions.

Participants receive a Letter of Completion documenting participation in the ABPM “other learner” academic program within an ACGME-accredited OEM residency.

After completing an MPH, participants will also receive a Certification of Participation sufficient to meet ABPM eligibility requirements as an “other learner” in an ACGME residency via the Complementary Pathway.

Academic seminars are delivered virtually. All instruction and materials are in English. Physicians may participate from any location with reliable internet access. Seminars occur on weekdays, typically in a consistent three-hour block between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. MT, depending on the semester. Efforts are made to accommodate physician practice schedules whenever possible.

The program begins twice annually—in mid-January and mid-July.

The only transferable credits are those required for program admission: at least two years of completed ACGME-accredited clinical residency training. No other credits may be transferred.

Scholarships may be available depending on program resources.