CPO Updates for 2026
Posted 12/11/2025 |
Subspecialities
ABOHNS
Practice Pathway Closing Reminder
The Practice Pathway option for CPO subspecialty certification will close after the 2030 CPO Exam. To qualify for the Fall 2030 exam, candidates must “enter into” each of the Practice Pathway eligibility criteria shown in the table below by October 1, 2026. The Practice Pathway requires four consecutive years of clinical practice in a Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology setting at the time of the exam, even though qualifying cases may be completed in a shorter amount of time.
| CRITERIA | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| ABOHNS Primary Certification in good standing | Required |
| Practice Setting | Privileges at a facility with a NICU level III or equivalent during 4 consecutive years proximate to applying |
| Qualifying Cases | 100 index cases performed during 4 consecutive years proximate to applying |
| Multidisciplinary Activities (i.e., cleft lip/palate clinic, VPI clinic, craniofacial clinic, NICU rounds, tumor boards) | At least 12 activities per year during 4 consecutive years proximate to applying |
After the 2030 CPO Exam, all applicants must meet Training Pathway requirements, which include completing an ACGME-accredited fellowship within seven years prior to taking the exam.
Training Pathway Update
Starting in 2026, the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) will no longer require candidates on the Training Pathway to wait until achieving primary board certification before applying for and taking the CPO Exam.
Previously, candidates were required to complete all requirements of the Training Pathway, including obtaining ABOHNS primary certification, before becoming eligible to apply for and take the CPO Exam. Under this old paradigm, the exam was the final step in the process of achieving subcertification, which occurred several years after fellowship completion.
With this new paradigm, after completing an ACGME-accredited pediatric otolaryngology fellowship and passing the ABOHNS Written Exam, candidates will be eligible to apply for and take the CPO Exam. For example, an individual who successfully completes fellowship on June 30, 2026, would be eligible for the October 8, 2026, CPO Exam if they already passed the Written Exam. While the requirements for achieving CPO subcertification remain unchanged, the sequence of steps has been modified to allow candidates to take the CPO Exam much sooner, if they choose.
Candidates must still fulfill all criteria of the Training Pathway to attain the subcertification, including having ABOHNS primary certification, passing the CPO Exam, and the 2-year requirements for Practice Setting, Qualifying Cases, and Multidisciplinary Activities. The candidate would not become CPO subcertified by just passing the exam.
The eligibility time for obtaining CPO subcertification remains seven years after completing an ACGME-accredited pediatric otolaryngology fellowship.
2025 CPO Exam Results and Learning Opportunities
The pass rate for the CPO Exam administered on November 3 was 100%. Performance analyses from this exam have identified key topics for future learning. These Learning Opportunities are now available on your Physician Portal. To access them, log in using the "Physician Log-In," scroll down to “Inside ABOHNS,” select “Learning Opportunities,” click “Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology,” and click the arrow for 2025.
Upcoming CPO Exams
The next CPO Exams are scheduled for October 8, 2026, and October 4, 2027. We anticipate the application period for the 2026 exam administration will open in March 2026.