Training and Certification in Subspecialties

• Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists may become further specialized in the areas of:
  • maternal-fetal medicine (care of high-risk pregnancy),
  • gynecologic oncology (care of women with cancers of the reproductive system),
  • reproductive endocrinology and infertility (care of women who have hormonal or infertility problems), and
  • female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (care of urinary tract dysfunction and disorders stemming from loss of support of pelvic structures).
     
  
  This extra training and certification requires three years of training after a basic residency, and the passing of both a written and oral examination.
  
  All certified obstetrician-gynecologists can treat patients with these disorders; however, some physicians have this extra training that qualifies them to take a written and oral test to be certified in these areas.


Can I get a verbal verification of certification of a physician?

• No. You must send requests for status verification to the Board Office and ABOG must return the pertinent information in writing.

  Verification of whether a physician is certified or not is also available from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), call 1-866-ASK-ABMS (866 275-2267).

  The ABMS can only give you information if a physician is certified or recertified. They cannot give the various completed phases of a physician if he or she is not yet certified.

  Also, the ABMS does not have the names of all certified physicians. Prior to 1986, physicians had the right not to be listed in outside directories. A small percentage of physicians have chosen not to be published.

How do I get a status letter?

• Submit a request in writing (via fax to 214-871-1943 or US Postal Service, but not both) with the physician's full name and social security number or birth date.
  
  Since patients will have neither the social security number nor birth date, they may submit the physician's full name and address.

What will ABOG tell me in the status letter?

• It will include which stage of the certification process the physician has completed, beginning with the status of being registered with the Board through final certification and maintenance of certification, or whether their certification has expired.
  
  The letter also will include any relevant subspecialty information.
  
  ABOG may respond that the physician has NO status with the Board, meaning he has never applied nor been approved for an ABOG examination or the physician's status has expired.

Is there a fee for a status letter?

• Everyone is charged the fee EXCEPT patients, the US Armed Forces and County Medical Societies.

What is the fee?

• $25 for the letter. Optional services are: 1) rush processing (response sent within 48 hours) is an additional $20; and 2) faxing the response is an additional $15. So, to rush and fax a response to you would cost $60.

What is the normal turn-around time?

• Approximately 3 weeks not counting mail time.

Why is there a charge?

• There are administrative fees involved in extracting the information and producing the letter.

May I e-mail my request?

• Yes, as long as you include your full name, organization's name, address and phone number on the request.
  
  Status letters will NOT be sent back via e-mail. They are always sent through the US Postal Service along with an invoice, if applicable.

May I fax my request?

• Yes, to 214-871-1943, but please do NOT also mail the original. This will duplicate the request. When the letter is produced, an invoice will be included for the appropriate fees. Faxing a request only eliminates the mail time one way, it does not speed up the processing time.

Do you verify on line?

• No.

Will you ever verify on line?

• Possibly, but not in the near future.

Is there any other way to verify a physician's Certification without contacting ABOG?

• Yes, through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) at 1-866-275-2267 (for patients or potential patients).
  
  The ABMS can only give you information if a physician is certified or recertified. They cannot give the various completed phases of a physician if he is not yet certified.
  
  Also, the ABMS does not have the names of all certified physicians. Prior to 1995, physicians had the right not to be listed in outside directories. A small percentage of physicians have chosen not to be published.