The American Board of Otolaryngology is a non-profit corporation that has set the mission of ensuring professional standards with certificates and memberships, and have offered training in the fields of head neck surgery to professionals since 1924.

Board certification is a voluntary program in which specialists seek to improve their performance and demonstrate a commitment to their profession. Board-certified otolaryngologists must meet the ABOto training requirements, pass psychometrically validated examinations, and participate in Maintenance of Certification.