What Board Certification Means:

You deserve the best of care.

When seeking an otolaryngologist,

be certain that he or she is

Board-Certified

by the

American Board of Otolaryngology

There sometimes is confusion between the terms "Board-Certified" and "Board-Qualified".

• Board-Certified means the following:

  • The physician has completed extensive training in an approved residency program, which lasts 5-7 years after medical school.

  • The physician has passed rigorous written and/or oral examinations which are given by the American Board of Otolaryngology by recognized authorities in the specialty.  These examinations are usually taken several months after completion of training.  If a physician has not become Board-Certified by one year after completion of residency training, it usually means that he or she has not yet been able to pass these examinations.

• Board-Qualified means that the physician has completed training, but has not yet passed (or has not been able to pass) the rigorous specialty board examinations.

When seeking medical care by any specialist,

always ask if the physician is Board-Certified.