The following outlines the application process for the Certifying Examination (CE), which is Step II in the ABOG subspecialty certification process. Candidates must first pass the Subspecialty Qualifying Examination (QE) before applying for the CE. As the final step in the initial certification process, the CE evaluates the candidate’s approach to and rationale for the clinical care of various patient management problems in the subspecialty.
Application Instructions
Log in to your ABOG portal
Applications are accepted online only and will be made available through your ABOG portal. Additional fees will be assessed for late applications.
Pay the application fee
The full application fee must be paid by credit card at the time of application. No other form of payment will be accepted. All fees are quoted and must be paid in U.S. dollars. The application fee for the CE will not be refunded or credited against a future exam.
Complete the hospital privileges verification form
After submitting your application, you must upload the completed Hospital Privileges Verification Form, which will be available in your ABOG portal. Applications will not be reviewed until this form is received.
Request accommodations if needed
Candidates who will be lactating at the time of the examination or require disability accommodations must notify ABOG at the time of application and no later than the close of the application period.
- Lactation accommodations: Candidates will be scheduled to use one of the wellness rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Disability accommodations: Submit your request no later than the close of the application period by contacting us.
Watch for your approval email
If your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions for submitting your case lists and thesis. The examination fee must be paid at this time. The required examination fee is separate from the fee submitted at the time of application.
Case lists will not be accepted unless the examination fee is paid in full by credit card on your ABOG portal by the deadline. If full payment of the examination fee has not been received by the published deadline for the examination, you will not be scheduled, and no fees will be refunded.
Receive your examination date notification
Once all materials are received and fees are paid, ABOG will send your Examination Date Notification to the email address listed in your ABOG profile at least one month before the exam date.
Disclosure of Certification Status and Data Use
Each year, ABOG shares the names and addresses of newly certified Diplomates with the following organizations:
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
- American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)
- Society for Gynecologic Oncology (SGO)
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
- Society for Family Planning (SFP)
ABOG also provides de-identified data to fellowship programs and the ACGME regarding fellowship program pass rates. Upon request, ABOG and the listed organizations may make this information available to the public.
As a condition for acceptance as a candidate for certification as a Subspecialty Diplomate, each candidate is required to sign an irrevocable waiver authorizing the dissemination of the candidate’s certification status.
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