Oral Exam
The American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG) is pleased to announce a new subspecialty certification in Advanced Benign Gynecologic Surgery (ABGS).
Eligibility
As a new subspecialty, ABGS candidates may apply using either approved fellowship training or clinical experience to qualify for the certification. Candidates who are beyond traditional board eligibility (defined as ending Dec. 31 of the sixth year following fellowship completion) should use the clinical pathway. The clinical pathway will only be available for the first five (5) years the certification examination is offered (2027-2031).
To be eligible for certification in Advanced Benign Gynecologic Surgery, all candidates must meet the core criteria below:
- Be a graduate of a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine or an LCME-accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada.
- Physicians who graduated from a medical school outside of the U.S. or Canada are also eligible if they hold a valid certificate, without expired examination dates, from the ECFMG.
- Hold current, active certification from the AOBOG in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI), or Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS).
- Have a minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience after residency. (Years in fellowship may count towards this minimum.)
- Hold unrestricted license to practice in one of the 50 states, a U.S. territory or Canada.
- Adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics.
Candidates applying through the Clinical Pathway must also:
- Submit a case log documenting practice that demonstrates sufficient depth and breadth of practice in ABGS. The case log must document at least 150 minimally invasive benign gynecologic surgical cases, for which they were the primary surgeon, within the 24 months prior to application. Details regarding case log format and submission are below.
Candidates applying through the Fellowship Pathway must also:
- Have AOA/AOBOG recognition of completion of at least one of the following fellowships:
- Complex Benign Gynecology (formerly known as Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery) through the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
- Minimally Invasive Gynecologic/Robotic Surgery through the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons (SLS)
- Gynecologic Oncology (ACGME-accredited only)*
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (ACGME-accredited only)*
- Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (ACGME-accredited only)*
*Candidates applying using fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, REI or URPS must also submit a case log documenting practice that demonstrates sufficient depth and breadth of practice in ABGS. The case log must document at least 150 minimally invasive benign gynecologic surgical cases, for which they were the primary surgeon, within the 24 months prior to application. Details regarding case log format and submission are below.
Requirements
You must submit the following to the AOBOG by the final application deadline:
- Proof of your fellowship’s program-complete status (if applicable).
- If not already on file with the AOA, please have your program submit a letter (view example template) directly to [email protected].
- A completed case log using the provided template (if applicable; details below).
Case Logs
Candidates using clinical experience or fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology, REI or URPS to qualify for the ABGS examination must submit a case log to qualify for examination. The case log must document at least 150 minimally invasive benign gynecologic surgical cases, for which they were the primary surgeon, within the 24 months prior to application, and must include:
- A minimum of 50 minimally invasive hysterectomies.
- A minimum of 20 operative hysteroscopies.
- A minimum of 20 advanced laparoscopies/robotic surgeries.
To be accepted, case log submissions must use the provided template and be uploaded to the application portal by the final deadline. When uploading your surgical log, please include your name in the filename.
The case log template consists of multiple worksheets:
- Log summary: Worksheet lists all of the procedure types and will calculate totals in each of the required minimums as well as the total cases in the log. Candidates should only need to add their name and date logs on this sheet.
- Hospital location sheet (HLS): Worksheet should list each hospital included in the log
- A worksheet for each procedure.
- Candidates should include date of procedure, hospital, a patient identifier (like a medical record number), the patient’s age or date of birth, the diagnosis, the operative procedure, and any complications and outcomes.
- Candidates may add as many rows as needed to document all cases.
- Candidates should include the total number of cases on the worksheet. By doing so, the log summary sheet will automatically calculate totals in each procedural type and total cases.
Exam Fees
An exam fee of $3,525 must accompany your completed application. No application will be considered complete until all fees have been paid. Applications submitted after the first deadline will be charged a 30% late fee.
Exam Dates and Deadlines
The ABGS Oral Exam is offered once per year, in the spring. The application period opens six months and closes three months prior to the exam date. All required documentation must be uploaded by the late application deadline. For a list of currently scheduled exam dates, please visit our Important Dates page. Exams are typically given in a Thursday–Sunday window. Candidates will be assigned one exam session, morning or afternoon, on any one of those days.
Exam Content Outline
The Advanced Benign Gynecologic Surgery Exam is a four-hour oral exam based upon the following topics:
| ABGS Oral Exam Content | |
|---|---|
| Category | Percent |
| General perioperative management | 15–19% |
| Diagnosis and management of postoperative complications | 20–24% |
| Principles of equipment, tissue extraction and energy sources | 2–6% |
| Diagnosis and management of benign gynecologic conditions | 10–14% |
| Surgical procedures | 34–38% |
| Neoplasia | 1–5% |
| Cross content | 4–8% |
The oral exam is administered by two certified physicians selected from the AOBOG Board of Examiners. Monitors, also members of the Board of Examiners, may be present during the exam to assure that it is administered according to AOBOG standards; they are not involved in the grading.
Candidates are required to attend a registration/orientation session that begins 45 minutes prior to the scheduled examination time. The examination will be cancelled if the candidate is not present by the close of registration.
Exam Day Process
- Candidates will be assigned to a morning or afternoon session on one of the posted examination dates. Assignments can be expected approximately two months prior to the exam date.
- The exam is conducted in person in the Chicago, Illinois, area. Exact location will be communicated to candidates with their date/time assignments approximately two months prior to the exam.
- Candidates will be required to register 45 minutes prior to their exam appointment time. Candidates must present a current, valid government-issued photo identification during registration (e.g., driver’s license or passport).
- Candidate orientation will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the exam administration. Candidates must be present for orientation.
- Failure to arrive in time for or participate in registration and/or orientation may result in automatic cancellation of the exam and forfeiture of exam fees.
Exam Scoring
The oral examination results are individually reviewed and approved by the full Board. The exam may include assessment of osteopathic philosophy/OMM in treatment modalities; interpersonal and communication skills; and professionalism.
Every effort will be made to release results within eight weeks of the exam window. Results are posted to the secure portal used to apply for the exam. Candidates will be notified by email of the results posting.