ABOG board certification requires passing two separate examinations: the Qualifying Examination (QE) and the Certifying Examination (CE). Although they are part of the same certification pathway, they follow very different calendars, with different application mechanics, fee structures, and failure points.
The following walks through 2026 dates, fees, and deadlines for both exams and explains how the timelines function in practice, so you can plan without surprises.
The Qualifying Examination timeline is relatively linear. You apply, receive approval, reserve a testing seat, take the exam on a fixed date, and wait for results.
The Certifying Examination timeline is layered. It includes an application phase, approval and week assignment, a defined case collection period, and a separate case list and exam fee submission window. Missing any one of those steps removes eligibility for the year.
Understanding that structural difference matters more than memorizing any single date.
The QE has fewer moving parts. Once you apply and reserve a seat, the rest of the cycle is pretty straight forward.
The CE requires parallel tracking of application status, case collection, documentation, and payment windows. Most CE problems arise not from lack of clinical readiness, but from compressed administrative timelines late in the year.
Planning backward from the August 31 case list deadline is often more effective than focusing on the exam weeks themselves.
Applications for the 2026 ABOG Qualifying Examination open on January 7, 2026.
Candidates who apply between January 7, 2026 and February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time pay the standard examination fee of $2,195.
Applications submitted between February 16, 2026 and March 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time are accepted with a $400 late fee, for a total cost of $2,595.
The final deadline to apply for the QE is March 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applications are not accepted after that point.
Approval notifications are issued during January and February 2026. Approval is required before a testing seat can be reserved.
Approved candidates must reserve their Pearson VUE testing seat by April 25, 2026. ABOG-reserved seats are released after this date, making it harder to secure a preferred location.
Failing to reserve a seat by the deadline can effectively end QE eligibility for the year.
The 2026 Qualifying Examination is administered on July 20, 2026 at Pearson VUE testing centers in the United States and Canada.
QE results are published by the last Friday in October 2026 on the ABOG candidate portal. Results include pass/fail status, a scaled score, and performance by major content domain.
The Certifying Examination has a more complex timeline, reflecting its focus on real-world clinical practice and case-based assessment.
Applications for the 2026 ABOG Certifying Examination open on March 1, 2026.
Candidates who apply between March 1, 2026 and April 14, 2026 pay the standard application fee of $1,125.
Applications submitted between April 15, 2026 and April 30, 2026 are accepted with a $400 late fee, for a total application cost of $1,525.
The final deadline to apply is April 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applications are not accepted after this date.
ABOG notifies candidates of application approval and assigns examination weeks by June 30, 2026. Only approved candidates may submit a case list and pay the examination fee.
Most candidates use the standard 12-month case collection period, which runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
An extended 18-month collection period is available in qualifying circumstances and runs from January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Only cases within the applicable collection window may be submitted.
Candidates must submit their case list, photo, and examination fee during the following windows:
Submissions between July 1, 2026 and July 31, 2026 require an examination fee of $1,275.
Submissions between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026 are accepted with a $400 late fee, for a total of $1,675.
The final deadline for receipt of all materials is August31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Materials are not accepted after this date.
The 2026 Certifying Examination is administered in person during the following weeks:
October 5–8, 2026
November 2–5, 2026
November 16–19, 2026
December 7–10, 2026
Candidates are assigned to one of these weeks and receive their specific exam date and time after scheduling is finalized.
Can I apply for the CE before passing the QE?
No. Passing the QE on the most recent attempt is required before applying for the Certifying Examination.
If I miss a QE or CE deadline, can I test later in 2026?
No. Missing a final deadline generally delays eligibility until the next exam cycle.
Are application and exam fees refundable?
Application fees are non-refundable. Examination fee refunds depend on timing and ABOG policy.
If you are preparing for the Qualifying Examination, confirm your eligibility early and reserve a Pearson VUE seat well before the April 25 deadline.
If you are preparing for the Certifying Examination, begin case tracking at the start of the collection period, not at the end. Most CE-related stress is administrative, not oral-exam related.