In-Person Certifying Exam FAQs

The Certifying Exam is the crucial final step toward achieving board certification.

• Standardization and Consistency: In-person exams provide the optimum, most reliable, and standardized experience for both candidates and examiners.
• Security and Fairness: Remote exams introduce potential biases, technological inequities, and exam content security concerns.
• Operational Efficiency: Replicating the effectiveness and operational efficiencies of our purpose-built testing facility in alternative locations is not currently feasible.

Offering a suboptimal alternative to the in-person exam would not fulfill our responsibility to OB-GYN patients.

No. It is important not to conflate the administration of the exam with the state laws of Texas. Texas laws apply to physicians licensed in the state and to clinical care within Texas but do not apply to certification processes.

Yes, the certification process is conducted with strict confidentiality. Participation is only disclosed to ABOG and the candidate, and it is the candidate’s prerogative to share any details. Case lists are stripped of Protected Health Information (PHI), and ABOG relies upon peer review statutes and privileges to protect both cases lists and oral exams.

ABOG continuously monitors candidate performance. Our findings show no statistical difference in the outcomes between candidates who provide abortion care and those who do not.

The COVID 19 Pandemic was a unique situation that required many entities to provide services to their constituents to the best of their ability. ABOG’s relationship to their candidates and the patients that they serve were no different. However, ABOG learned from that experience. Remote exams were necessary during the pandemic as a temporary solution. ABOG has returned to, and remains steadfast in its commitment to, the in-person exam as the optimum administration method.

Texas laws and rules regarding pregnancy-related emergency care have continued to evolve since the initial Dobbs decision. Texas law provides provider protections from abortion related laws if there is a pregnancy-related emergency. Texas Medical Board Definitions (163.10) and Rule (163.12) titled “Abortion Ban Exception Performance and Documentation” offer further guidance:

• "Medical emergency" means a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that, as certified by a physician, “places the woman in danger of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function unless an abortion is performed.”
• There is affirmative defense for providers acting in response to "an ectopic pregnancy at any location or a previable premature rupture of membranes."
• "Imminence of the threat to life or impairment of a major bodily function is not required."

The health and safety of candidates and examiners is of utmost importance. ABOG has a long history of partnership with UT Southwestern Medical Center, located near the ABOG National Center, to provide high-quality medical care in case of unforeseen emergencies during the exam. Additionally, there is flexibility inherent in the certification eligibility period in that candidates have up to 8 years to complete the necessary steps for certification, as per the guidelines from the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Case lists are a critical component of the certification process ensuring that a candidate is assessed on their individual practice rather than a theoretical construct. Case lists categories and minimums are based on a Job Task Analysis (JTA), which is a survey of like practicing providers conducted every 3-5 years to determine the national scope of practice for each subspecialty. Survey results are then analyzed and reviewed by a panel of expert specialists for the Specialty Certifying Exam and expert subspecialists and the ABOG Subspecialty Divisions for the Subspecialty Certifying exams to ensure comprehensive coverage of the breadth and depth of each subspecialty. The JTA findings are used to create a blueprint that serves as the framework for the exam content. Case list requirements are flexible to accommodate varying practices while still ensuring the necessary breadth of the field established by the JTA  to uphold ABOG’s standards for effective certification assessment.

ABOG reviews and audits case lists for completeness and authenticity to ensure fair and accurate assessments. For more information regarding exam case lists, please refer to the relevant ABOG Certifying Exam bulletin.

ABOG’s dedication and commitment to credentialing and continuing education excellence transcends geography and represents a national scope of care grounded in science and assessed by psychometrically rigorous processes. Our mission and commitment to offering fair and equitable certifying exam administration to all eligible OB-GYNs cannot be compromised by an individual or groups.

Additionally, remaining in an environment of restrictive reproductive care means staying in close proximity to the challenges both patients and their physicians face. While ABOG is not and cannot act as an advocacy or activist organization, our location in Texas allows us to remain informed and acutely aware of legislation that impacts our stakeholders and patients.

As a national certifying body, ABOG remains focused on its mission to ensure all OB-GYNs, specialists and subspecialists, are optimally assessed on the full complement of their knowledge and skills to deliver safe, quality care across the country. Regardless of where patients reside, they all deserve quality care and treatment based on scientific evidence. Our national perspective supports and ensures certification assessments test on material consistent with our Job Task Analyses, including abortion. ABOG has been committed and steadfast in maintaining its impartiality and national perspective for nearly 100 years of exam administration.