The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) offers the comprehensive Written Examination every year to assess examinees’ knowledge of basic sciences and clinical concepts as a first step toward becoming board-certified. Any educationally qualified, practicing orthodontist may take the Written Examination. Orthodontic students or residents may take the Written Examination if they have completed 18 months of their program at the time of the examination.

Eligible orthodontists can register online for the 2012 Written Examination here. The registration deadline is December 19.

In January, registered examinees will receive instructions for reserving their test date with a Pearson-VUE Testing Center. The examination will be held April 17 to 20, 2012.

The 2012 Written Examination Guide and Reading List is also now available on the ABO Web site. The Written Examination consists of multiple-choice questions related to the basic sciences, applied biomedical sciences, orthodontic theory, orthodontic practice, related dental disciplines, and orthodontic literature.

After successful completion of the Written Examination, examinees are eligible to take the Clinical Examination.