Candidates
Changes to the Oral Examination
The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) began reviewing its Board Certification process in 2014. Both the Qualifying Examination (QE) and the Oral Certifying Examination (OCE) were reviewed for relevance, intent, content and consistency. The goal was to create a more meaningful and comprehensive program for board certification.
The purpose of the oral examination is to evaluate the critical thought process of a candidate to demonstrate on-the-fly thinking, synethesizing core knowledge and applying this to realistic, mainstream office and hospital-based scenarios. After consulting with the Board's psychometrician, the Directors determined the appropriate content and delivery for the examination. Beginning in 2019, the OCE will be presented in three sections, each with four twelve-minute cases. The examination will total 144 minutes rather than the 200-minute exam in previous years.
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The certification process is comprehensive, covering the biological sciences and clinical practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
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Become an Examiner
Are you a Diplomate interested in furthering your participation with ABOMS? Join the Examination Committee.
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Diplomates
ABOMS Diplomates are committed to lifelong learning, keeping current in knowledge and skills, and practicing in a safe and contemporary manner.
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Verifications
Are you interested in seeing if a particular oral and maxillofacial surgeon is board certified? Find out how to run a verification.
Let's GoWho We Are
Our Mission and Objectives are our governing principles
Mission
The mission of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is to assure the public of safe and optimal care through the development and maintenance of high standards of certification and re-certification of Diplomates in the specialty.
Objective
The objective of the ABOMS is to elevate the standards of oral and maxillofacial surgery through a certification and maintenance of certification process that fosters excellence and encourages learning, thus promoting the delivery of superior health care.