AAOS Orthopaedic In-Training Examination® (OITE®)

The AAOS Orthopaedic In-Training Examination® (OITE®) is a proctored exam administered each year to U.S. orthopaedic residency programs – and many international programs. The 2026 OITE dates are October 30 – November 8. The 2027 OITE is scheduled for October 29th - November 7th.

The OITE is a comprehensive, multiple choice, computer-based examination designed to facilitate knowledge assessment in established principles and conventional procedures and treatment modalities in orthopaedic surgery.

The OITE serves to provide evidence of the orthopaedic surgeon’s scope of knowledge throughout their training in support of educational advancement. Since 1963, AAOS has developed the OITE to assess resident knowledge in ten primary content domains as defined by the OITE blueprint.

How the OITE is Used

Orthopaedic residency programs use the OITE performance outcomes at the individual and programmatic levels to support orthopaedic resident education through study, research, discussion, review, and assessment. Score reports are made available to the residency program directors for dissemination to residents, and include program and examinee-level data as well as summary information relating to program year and cohorts.