Page 147 - 2019 Info to Resident Applicants

The American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
2915 Vine Street, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 871-1619 | info@abog.org | Contact Us

Specialty Certification General Details

Specialty (OB GYN) Certification Overview

• You can start the process of board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and
Gynecology in your fourth year of residency.

• Obtaining board certification is a completely voluntary process.

• To become board certified, you have to pass the Qualifying Exam (written test) to
demonstrate that you have the special knowledge and skills required for medical and
surgical care of women.

• You must collect cases reflecting your care prior to the Certifying Exam (oral exam).

• The Certifying Exam is given by a team of well-respected national experts. The exam tests
your skills, knowledge, and ability to treat different conditions. The examiners also review
cases related to the patients that you've treated during the past year.

• ABOG notifies certain entities of the names of new diplomates certified each year.
See Notifying Entities of New Diplomates to learn more.

Important points to know if you're getting ready to
pursue board certification:

• Upon completing medical residency, candidates complete an online application to take the
Qualifying Exam.

• The online application is typically available in mid-September, the year prior to the first
exam date.

• You'll need your ABOG ID number to complete the application, which you can get from
your residency manager.

• Your residency program director must attest to successful completion of your residence
program via the Residency Training Affidavit. While you can take the Qualifying Exam
without yet having the affidavit on file with ABOG, you will not receive your Qualifying
Exam results until ABOG has the signed affidavit from your program director.
• Be sure your email address and telephone number that you provide in your application are
accurate. We recommend that you use a personal email address to prevent being locked out
of your email once you have completed your residency training.

•