The purpose of awarding certification to individuals who meet the qualifications of The American Board of Urology is to assure the public that an individual has: (a) received appropriate training, and (b) has a level of urologic knowledge to practice safe and effective urology. The American Board of Urology strives to provide the urologic community with an examination process which is relevant and fair to all who take it.

Certification includes all domains of urology, including but not limited to pediatric urology, endourology, female urology, andrology, oncology, urolithiasis, and general urology.  All certified urologists are trained to evaluate and treat all patients with urological disorders. 

All US chief residents who have completed their training and residency requirements may apply for admission to the certification process. Canadian and international medical graduates may be eligible to apply if they have satisfied the training and residency requirements. 

Applicants approved by the Board to enter the certification process must successfully complete a Qualifying (Part 1) Examination. After meeting certain specific criteria including unrestricted medical licensure, assessment of clinical practice through practice logs, acceptable peer review, and the 16-month practice requirement in a single community, the applicant must successfully complete the oral Certifying (Part 2) Examination to become certified.

Certification is valid for a period of ten years, subject to Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Beginning in 2007, those physicians who become certified or recertified will enter MOC, during which a physician must successfully complete certain requirements every two years.

Candidates have five years from the end of residency to complete the components of the certification process to become a Diplomate. Candidates who do not complete certification within the specified time may re-enter the process by successfully completing the Preliminary Examination.