TMOD Test Administrations to be Reduced in 2007

During its March 2006 semi-annual meeting, the National Board decided to reduce the number of TMOD test administrations from two per year, to one. This change will be implemented in 2007.

Historically, the number of TMOD administrations per year has fluctuated based on the needs of state boards. When TMOD was introduced in 1985, use of therapeutics was permitted in only five states. The exam was administered only once in 1985 and 1986, with the inaugural administration hosting only 72 candidates. As state practice statutes expanded and qualifying continuing education courses were broadly attended, the number of TMOD administrations increased to two in 1987. Actually, a special third administration was offered in 1987 in response to the special needs of one state board. In 1991, TMOD was offered three times per year by policy, in contrast to all other National Board exams which were offered twice per year.

By 2000, all 50 states (and DC) had expanded their practice statutes to include therapeutics, and demand for the test among practitioners had diminished sharply. In response, the number of administrations per year was reduced back to two in 2001. In recent August administrations, the number of candidates has decreased to levels comparable to the first offering in 1985.

In response to the minimal apparent need, the number of administrations of the stand-alone TMOD test will be reduced to one, in April, beginning in 2007. The timing is designed to give fourth-year students who passed Part II in December, but failed the embedded TMOD section, a second opportunity prior to graduation to pass TMOD by sitting for the stand-alone form.

The Board intends to continue offering the stand-alone form of TMOD, as well as providing a TMOD breakout score on Part II, for the indefinite future, including after the examination restructure in 2009-10.