ABOHNS Special Session: Updates About the Oral Exam for Board Certification

Saturday, October 17, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Location: 402A

Moderator(s)

BM

Bradley F. Marple, MD

Professor
UT-Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, United States

Panelist(s)

SM

Sonya M. Malekzadeh, MD, FACS

Professor
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Washington, DC, United States
krishna G. Patel, MD

Professor
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC, United States
Brian Nussenbaum, MD, MHCM

Executive Director
American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Houston, TX, United States

Disclosure(s):

Brian Nussenbaum, MD, MHCM:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This Panel Discussion will address important details regarding the new oral exam for primary board certification in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Why changes were made, what changes were made, and the timeline of the new process will be covered. Information about the first two administrations using the new format be presented. The content of this session is especially relevant for current residents, recent residency graduates, fellows, residency program directors, academic faculty, and attendees interested in physician assessment.

Learning Objectives:

Explain the rationale for changing the format of the ABOHNS Oral Exam and the key principles that are guided the changes.
Delineate changes to the structure, process, and requirements of the redesigned oral exam.
Demonstrate and explain the timeline for the redesigned oral exam.