The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) offers board certification in the general specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Certified physicians can then choose to further specialize in one of the five OB GYN subspecialties: Complex Family Planning, Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Physicians certified by ABOG who maintain their certifications by participating in ABOG's Maintenance of Certification (continuing certification) program are issued digital badges representing each of the certifications they maintain. You can look for these badges (shown below) to help you verify whether a physician is board certified and participates in continuing certification tasks to stay abreast of medical advances.
Board certification is a voluntary pursuit. Physicians are only required to secure a medical license to practice medicine in any given state. Physicians who choose to pursue certification are enhancing their medical knowledge beyond that required of state licensure.
