[6] ABOG's mission is to define the standards, certify obstetricians and gynecologists, and facilitate continuous learning to advance knowledge, practice, and professionalism in women's health.
It was one of the first medical certification boards to move its oral certifying exams from hotels to a professional testing center.
[8] The board was the center of controversy in 2013 when it issued a directive requiring its certified OB GYNs to not treat male patients in order to retain their certification.
This directive allowed OB GYNs to treat men only in a small number of situations, such as if the man was involved in "active government service" or was undergoing a fertility evaluation.
[9] The board partially reversed its decision in response to criticism later that year,[10] and the following January, it eliminated restrictions on its diplomates' abilities to treat men.