Oral Boards to Go: Good Idea

I was extemly pleased to read the news that the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology is switching from an oral exam to a computerized test. This decision, though much welcomed, should have been made much earlier. Oral boards have caused too much unnecessary suffering and anguish among candidates. I think that in many respects it was not a fair exam; it leaves too much to luck as well as human factors.

I appreciate and congratulate the board for its willingness to reexamine the certification process and for its endeavors to bring changes. I would, however, request that the board consider exempting candidates who have failed Part 2 but passed Part 1 from having to take Part 1 again. Just as the board does not require Part 1 examination for recertification, the board can give one chance to all candidates who have previously passed Part 1 to take only Part 2 (perhaps institute some sort of grandfathering clause), especially for older candidates, say 50 years or older.