Updated: March 2025
Background:
This policy provides guidelines for the following:
- Collection of fees
- Refundable fees
- Nonrefundable fees
- Nonrefundable administrative fees
- Payment Method Responsibilities
Policy:
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. (ABOG) charges fees for services provided. In specific circumstances determined by ABOG, some fees may be refundable. When fees are refundable, ABOG will retain an administrative fee to cover processing costs unless otherwise noted below.
Fees Related to Multiple Choice Examinations Administered at Off-site Testing Centers (Specialty and Subspecialty Qualifying Exams, Continuing Certification Part III (Year 6) Exams, Re-Entry Exams, and MIGS or PAG Focused Practice Designation Exams)
- An Exam Fee is due and payable at the time of application.
- The exam fee, less a 25% administrative fee, is refundable under the following circumstances:
- The physician cancels their examination appointment due to any reason and notifies the testing vendor and ABOG with a written notice of withdrawal no later than 30 days prior to the exam date. Physicians do not need to submit documentation to justify their withdrawal from the exam during this period.
- Cancellations within 30 days prior to the exam are refundable only in the event of a documented medical reason or extenuating circumstance, such as an extreme natural disaster event (devastating storms, fires, floods) resulting in disaster declaration(s) or military orders, that prevent the physician from sitting for the exam. ABOG reserves the right to perform due diligence to review and confirm any third-party information necessary prior to approving requests for and issuing refunds. The physician must notify the testing vendor and ABOG.
- The testing center is closed unexpectedly due to inclement weather or power outage, and the physician cannot be rescheduled to complete the exam.
- This fee cannot be credited toward future applications.
- Exam fees are not refundable under the following circumstances:
- The physician fails to appear for the exam at the scheduled time.
- The physician fails to adhere to testing center rules, admission, identification, and/or security protocols.
- The testing center removes the physician from the exam due to behaviors that disrupt the exam process.
- The physician is unable to reserve a seat at their preferred testing center.
- The Re-entry, CC Part III, and Focused Practice (MIGS & PAG) exam application fees are separate from the annual Continuing Certification fee and are due and payable at the time of application.
- If a diplomate is not required to take the CC Part III (Year 6) exam but applies for the exam, they may be eligible for a full refund of their exam fee if they contact ABOG at least 60 days prior to the exam date to withdraw their exam application.
- The QE late fees are nonrefundable and cannot be credited towards future applications.
Fees Related to the Specialty and Subspeciality Certifying Examinations (CE) Administered at the ABOG National Center
- An application fee is due and payable when the candidate applies for the Certifying Examination (CE). This fee covers the cost of the application process required to be approved to sit for the certifying exam.
- The CE application fee and any late fees are nonrefundable and cannot be credited towards future applications.
- An exam fee will be assessed at the conclusion of the application period and is due prior to administration of the exam.
- The CE fee, less a 25% administrative fee, is refundable under the following circumstances:
- The candidate cancels their exam due to any reason and provides ABOG with a written notice of withdrawal no later than 30 days prior to the exam date. Candidates do not need to submit documentation to justify their withdrawal from the exam during this timeframe.
- Cancellations within 30 days prior to the exam are refundable only in the event of a documented medical reason or an extenuating circumstance, such as an extreme natural disaster event (devastating storms, fires, floods) resulting in disaster declaration(s) or military orders, that prevent the candidate from sitting for the CE. ABOG reserves the right to perform due diligence to review and confirm any third-party information necessary prior to approving requests for and issuing refunds. The candidate should send a written notification to ABOG.
- The testing center is closed unexpectedly due to inclement weather or power outage and the candidate cannot be rescheduled to complete the exam.
- The CE fee is not refundable under the following circumstances:
- The candidate fails to appear for the exam at the scheduled time.
- The candidate fails to adhere to testing center rules, admission, identification, and/or security protocols.
- The candidate is removed from the exam due to behaviors that disrupt the exam process.
- The candidate leaves the exam early and does not finish the CE process
Fees Related to Continuing Certification (Formerly Maintenance of Certification / MOC)
- A Continuing Certification fee is due and payable annually at the time of application.
- Applications received after the deadline will be assessed a $50, nonrefundable late fee.
- Failure to apply, pay, and complete all Continuing Certification requirements by the annual completion deadline will result in an additional incomplete requirements service fee in the following year at the time of the Continuing Certification application.
- This non-refundable fee is in addition to the annual Continuing Certification application fee.
- Continuing Certification fees cannot be credited to future applications.
- Physicians who request a refund due to extenuating circumstances, such as an extreme natural disaster event (devastating storms, fires, floods) resulting in disaster declaration(s) or military service orders, that prevents the physician from completing their Continuing Certification requirements, may be eligible for a partial refund (a 25% administrative fee will be retained by ABOG) if they contact the Continuing Certification department within the calendar year. ABOG reserves the right to perform due diligence to review and confirm any third-party information necessary prior to approving requests for and issuing refunds.
- Physicians who have applied and paid for Continuing Certification but have not started any of the assessments or activities and have established Retired Diplomate status may request a full refund for their application fee or the physician may request that their CC application fee is applied towards the CME-only application for the current year.
- A refund will not be provided if a physician has completed any assessments or activities administered in the annual Continuing Certification program.
Fees Related to Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for Continuing Certification
- For fees paid by diplomates to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for CME credits, the diplomate should contact ACOG regarding requests for refunds.
- Extra CME Credits earned by completing Continuing Certification Program
- A non-refundable fee is assessed by ABOG to physicians who choose to complete additional assessments for extra CME credits.
- The extra CME fee is nonrefundable under any circumstances.
Fees Related to Certificates, Designations, and Continuing Certification (MOC) Labels
- Specialty and Subspecialty Certificates
- ABOG will provide diplomates with one certificate for each of their earned certifications.
- Additional or replacement certificates may be purchased directly from the printer, Jim Henry, Inc.
- Focused Practice Designations
- ABOG will provide diplomates with one certificate for each of their earned focused practice designations.
- Additional or replacement certificates may be purchased directly from the printer, Jim Henry, Inc.
- Continuing Certification Completion Labels
- At the time of application, physicians may elect to receive one complementary label annually via mail upon successful completion of all Continuing Certification requirements.
- If physicians don’t opt-in to receive a label during the application process, the physician must contact the printer, Jim Henry, Inc. to purchase the label.
- Additional or replacement labels may be purchased directly from the printer, Jim Henry, Inc.
Payment Method Responsibilities
Physicians are solely responsible for selecting and using the correct payment method when submitting payments to ABOG. If an incorrect payment method is used, the physician assumes full responsibility for any resulting delays, fees, or issues. ABOG will not be liable for any complications arising from the use of incorrect payment methods.
