1. Application
The undersigned (the Applicant) makes application to The American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Inc. (ABOG or Board) for admission to participate in the Continuing Certification (CC) Process of the ABOG, all in accordance with, and subject to the requirements of the ABOG pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, Rules, Bulletins, Policies, Regulations, and other qualifications, as may be amended or supplemented, by the ABOG. The Applicant agrees that neither the application fee nor the examination fee shall be returnable to Applicant in any event and that in either case the cost of processing the Application, and examination, respectively, whether the Applicant is permitted to take the examination or not, are of greater value than the fees themselves. The Applicant is aware that the ABOG is a not for profit corporation whose principal place of business is located in Dallas, Texas. The applicant understands that the ABOG is not affiliated with and is not an agency of the U.S. or any state.
2. Representations of Applicant
2.1 Applicant represents and warrants that the information and answers provided on this Application are true, correct, and complete to the best of the Applicant’s knowledge and agrees that any information that is false, misleading or otherwise misrepresents the true state of facts, or any significant omissions made regardless of whether such information was provided by the Applicant in ignorance or in good faith or because of misunderstanding, may disqualify the Applicant from having the Application accepted and/or from allowing the Applicant to participate in CC and may disqualify the Applicant from any entitlement the Applicant may have had previously. Applicant understands that the ABOG is relying upon the accuracy of all of the information that the Applicant has supplied in this Application, although the ABOG is free to, and the Applicant expects that it will, independently attempt to verify the information contained in this Application. Applicant understands that there is no right to submit this Application and participate in CC for which the Applicant is applying and that this privilege has been afforded by the ABOG to submit such Application and to participate in CC subject to the ABOG’s Articles of Incorporation, Rules, Bulletins, Policies, Regulations and other qualifications, as may be amended or supplemented.
2.2 Furthermore, if the Applicant is permitted to participate in CC and it is discovered by the ABOG that any information furnished in the Application or otherwise which resulted in being permitted to participate in CC is false, misleading, a misrepresentation, or contains omissions, regardless of whether such information was furnished in ignorance of the true facts, in good faith, or because of any misunderstanding the Applicant may have had, then, and in that event:
- Applicant understands that such professional misbehavior may result in deferral of the Application to CC for at least three (3) years; and
- Applicant understands that certification will be lost during this deferral period and the Applicant must apply for re-entry to reinstate Board certification.
3. Understandings, Agreements, Covenants, and Warranties of Applicant.
3.1 Applicant understands that the decision as to whether permission is given to participate in CC for which Applicant is applying, and as to whether any entitlement Applicant may have to continue to participate in CC is based solely and exclusively on the decision of the ABOG and that such decision is final.
3.2 Applicant understands and agrees that the decision as to whether grades and other performances in the CC Process qualify the Applicant for, and any entitlement to continue to qualify for participation in CC and maintain certification, rests solely and exclusively in the ABOG, and that its decision is final.
4. Release and Exoneration of ABOG
Applicant waives, releases, exonerates and agrees to DEFEND, indemnify and hold harmless the ABOG and its directors, officers, division members, committees, committee members, employees, examiners, and agents from, against, and with respect to, any and all demands, claims, losses, costs, expenses, damages, of any kind, including for reasonable or other attorney's fees, and judgments, of any kind or character, alleged to have arisen from, arising from, resulting from, out of, with respect to, or in connection with, any action which they, or any of them, take or fail to take, as a result of or in connection with this Application or otherwise, to participate in CC or otherwise, any examination conducted by, the ABOG, any examination which the ABOG determines, in its sole discretion that the Applicant has failed to qualify for, and if applicable, the failure of the ABOG to allow the Applicant to participate in the CC Process and retain certification, or the ABOG's revocation of any certificate previously issued to the Applicant. Any defense obligation from third party claims will be handled by counsel of ABOG’s choice. Applicant further agrees to release, exonerate, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the ABOG and its directors, employees, division members, committee members, examiners, officers, agents, from any claims for liability or damages or complaint of whatever kind or character whatsoever, by reason of any action, they, or any of them, may take in connection with this Application, such examination, the grade or grades given in respect to any such examination, and/or the failure of said Board to permit the Applicant to retain certification or by reason of the forfeiture or revocation thereof because of the Applicant’s failure to comply with the ABOG’s Articles of Incorporation, Rules, Bulletins, Policies, Regulations, and other qualifications, as may be amended or supplemented.
5. Venue and Jurisdiction
Applicant agrees that if any dispute arises between the Applicant and the ABOG with regard to the Applicant’s qualification for participating in the CC Process, the results of the examinations, and/or any decision made by the ABOG with regard to the Applicant’s qualification for, and any entitlement the Applicant may have to continue to qualify for, a Certificate, that dispute shall be had, held, and adjudicated I in an appropriate court in Dallas County, Texas. THE APPLICANT AGREES AND CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR ANY DISPUTE WITH ABOG. APPLICANT CONSENTS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND EXCLUSIVE VENUE IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS WITH REGARD TO ANY DISPUTE that may arise with regard to the conduct of the examinations or Applicant’s qualification for, and any entitlement the Applicant may have to continue to qualify for, Board certification or in connection with the manner of conducting any examination or the results thereof, or the Applicant’s rights to participate in the ABOG CC process or to any privileges of such certification. Applicant further agrees that if, and to the extent, the Applicant may have any legitimate claims concerning the qualification for, and any entitlement to continue to qualify for, or the conduct of any such examination, the Applicant will first exhaust all administrative remedies available (as a condition precedent to any court filing) under the rules and policies of the ABOG, and after first doing so, if, and to the extent, the Applicant may have any claims that can be heard in a court of law under the terms hereof, such claims shall thereafter be filed or addressed exclusively to the courts in Dallas County, Texas where the ABOG maintains its principal place of business. Applicant acknowledges that the CC application and examination fees that the ABOG charges and that Applicant has agreed to pay would be higher if the Applicant, and other applicants, did not agree to these venue and jurisdictional provisions.
6. Adjudication of Disputes, Forum: Waiver of Right to Jury Trial
In the event that any dispute arises between the Applicant and the ABOG whether under the terms hereof or as a result of any action taken by the ABOG or the Applicant as a result or consequence of submitting this Application, the Applicant’s right or privilege to become or remain a Diplomate of the ABOG, the Applicant’s use of the ABOG website or any documents or materials downloaded, viewed or referred to on the ABOG's website, or by reason of any Application, request for information or other contact between the Applicant or a representative of the Applicant and the ABOG or any representative of the ABOG, THE APPLICANT AND THE ABOG EXPRESSLY AGREE TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND TO WAIVE ANY RIGHTS WE EACH MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY AND ALL ISSUES ARISING IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE APPLICANT AND THE ABOG OR OUR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS, REPRESENTATIVES, ASSIGNS, OR HEIRS. In addition, any claim, dispute, or controversy ("claim") by the Applicant or the ABOG against the other shall be resolved in an appropriate court of law located in Dallas County, Texas, as described above.
7. Requirements for Continuing Certification
Applicant agrees to comply with all of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, Bulletins, Policies, Rules and Regulations of the ABOG, including all of the requirements for CC, and the qualifications for, and any entitlement to continue to qualify for and retain certification, as they currently exist or may hereafter be revised, and further agree that in the event the Applicant ever violates any of the terms and provisions of the ABOG’s Articles of Incorporation, Rules, Bulletins, Policies, Regulations, and other qualifications, as may be amended or supplemented. If an event occurs that would require disclosure under the Bulletins, Policies, Rules and Regulations of the ABOG, including all of the requirements for CC, Applicant agrees to furnish ABOG with that information within 30 days of the event triggering disclosure.
8. Authorizations for Release of Information
Applicant authorizes the ABOG or any employee, agent, director, officer, representative, member, examiner, or any other person with whom the ABOG may have dealings to obtain any and all information from schools, current or former employers, criminal justice agencies, individuals, medical institutions, hospitals, medical associations, medical organizations, or other organizations or persons, concerning the Applicant’s history, history in the medical profession, and relating to any and all of the Applicant’s activities. Applicant authorizes and directs the medical organizations and associations, hospitals, and other medical professionals named in this Application and the responsible officials thereof to furnish the ABOG such information as it may request to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this Application and of the Applicant’s medical professional history, and agrees to release and hold all such organizations harmless from any liability or damages for providing such information to the ABOG. This information may include, but is not limited to, academic, employment, achievement, performance, personal history, arrest and conviction records, as well as any other information pertaining to the Applicant’s professional credentials or history in the medical profession or history, generally. Applicant authorizes and directs such third parties to release such information upon request of the bearer of this Authorization or a counterpart thereof. Applicant understands that the information released is for official use by the ABOG and may be disclosed to such third parties as may be necessary in the ABOG's sole discretion in the fulfillment of the responsibilities of the ABOG. Applicant releases and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any individual, person, organization, association or other entity including records custodians, as well as any corporation, partnership or other legal entity, from any and all liability for damages of whatever kind, character or nature whatsoever which may at any time result to the Applicant or for which the Applicant may incur on account of compliance or any attempts to comply with this Authorization. Any third party furnishing information to the ABOG may rely upon a signed copy of this document as if it were an original. Applicant specifically authorize the ABOG and its employees, officers, directors, agents and representatives, to the extent required by any federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation, or by any lawful subpoena or other legal process served upon it or them, to reveal the facts of this or any other application submitted to it, the nature and results of any examination the Applicant has taken, and any other information regarding professional standing, knowledge, qualifications and/or competence.
In addition, the ABOG may at times request information from the diplomate with the purposes of better informing its initial and Continuing Certification processes and to inform relevant specialty societies to further the current practices of obstetrics and gynecology. Additionally, this information may be shared in a deidentified fashion with third party investigators after review and approval and in compliance with the ABOG Board of Directors Research Committee for purposes in accordance with the forementioned goals. The ABOG will not share data with commercial entities, such as pharmaceutical interest groups or manufacturers of medical devices, external entities requesting the ABOG’s information to create mailing lists.
9. Understanding
Applicant has read the contents of this Application and all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein. Further, Applicant understands these terms, conditions and provisions and agrees to be bound by them in consideration of the willingness of the ABOG to receive this Application and acknowledges that such consideration is sufficient and valid. Applicant understands that in the absence of an agreement to these terms, conditions and provisions, the ABOG would not have received the application nor, if the Application is accepted, allow the Applicant to participate in the CC.
10. Severability
The terms, provisions, covenants and remedies contained in this Application shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any such term, provision, covenant, or remedy of this Application or the application thereof to any person, association, entity, or circumstances shall, to any extent, be construed to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, then such term, provision, covenant, or remedy shall be construed in a manner so as to permit its enforceability under the applicable law to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any case, the remaining provisions of this Application or the application thereof to any person, association, entity, or circumstances other than those to which they have been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect.
11. ADA
To request special assistance or a test modification for CC due to a disability, documentation of the disability and specific accommodations requested will be required. Please refer to the current CC bulletin for further information.
12. Use of Third-Party Study Aids during CC
It has come to the attention of the ABOG that certain companies are offering a service, which allows a diplomate to pay a fee to receive summaries to the articles that are the basis of the ABOG's CC program. The articles assigned and test questions given are Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment CC components.
The purpose of this provision is to put the Applicant on notice that if the Applicant continues to utilize such services such as the ones listed above to answer the test questions, the Applicant will be in violation of the CC's Professional Standing requirement. The ABOG will require the Applicant to sign an on-line attestation which provides in principal that the Applicant certifies to the ABOG that the Applicant has read each assigned article in its entirety and has not relied on or used any third party service to aid in answering the test questions.
The Board of the ABOG has determined that using these or similar services to answer the test questions or by falsely certifying to the ABOG that the Applicant has read the entire article without the aid of third party services is a violation of the Professional Standing requirement and ethical standards of the ABOG and will result in the loss of the Applicant’s Diplomate status.
It is our mission to provide the public with the expertise it expects when hiring a board-certified physician. Using any service, which allows the Applicant to circumvent reading the assigned articles, impacts patient care and the integrity of this Board.
13. Confidentiality
All CC materials are confidential, proprietary or copyrighted by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. Any disclosure of the questions or answers or their substance, in whole or in part, to any person, organization or entity, public or private, orally, in writing, or by other form of communication is strictly prohibited. In the event that the ABOG determines that any unauthorized disclosure has been made by any person granted access to this examination, it reserves the right to refuse participation credit to such person or revoke its participation credit, if already granted, and, in addition, to seek monetary and injunctive relief in court, submitting to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue in the appropriate court located in Dallas County, Texas.
Page last updated: July 31, 2025
