This Honor Code is provided to all candidates, for advanced reference, when submitting an application for an American Board of Dermatology examination.
HONOR CODE, CONSENT TO SHARING OF INFORMATION,
AND WAIVER OF RIGHT TO SUE
This document consists of three parts:
(1) The ABD Honor Code;
(2) A consent to sharing of certain information with your program director; and
(3) A waiver of your right to sue the ABD.
Please review each part carefully before signing. If you have questions about any aspect of this document, you may contact the ABD office before signing.
HONOR CODE
I understand that this examination and all test questions are copyrighted works of the American Board of Dermatology, Inc. (ABD) and are the exclusive property of the ABD. I also understand that sharing or discussing exam questions with future examinees will undermine the integrity of the examination and give such examinees an unfair advantage. Therefore, I will not, without the prior written consent of the ABD, copy, reproduce, disclose, discuss, share, reveal, or distribute any questions or any other part of this examination, including memorized, reconstructed, and partially or fully recalled items. Likewise, I will not circulate any proposed or otherwise suggested answers to these questions for exam preparation or for any other purpose without the prior written consent of ABD.
I also understand that the quality and reliability of the examination depend on the exam being conducted in a quiet and professional manner and that there be no cheating on the exam. Accordingly, I will not disrupt, or threaten to disrupt, any ABD examination in any way. In addition, I will not cheat on any ABD examination, and I will report to ABD, or to the proctor at the examination, any incident that I suspect may involve cheating or an attempt to cheat on the examination.
I attest that all statements that I have made to the ABD concerning my training, licensure, eligibility to take the examination, and other relevant facts are truthful and non-misleading. I further attest that I will notify ABD in writing (a) if I become the subject of any disciplinary action by a State Board of Medicine, (b) if I am charged with criminal conduct, (c) if I am barred or suspended from participation in any federal health care program, or (d) if any other development occurs which might reasonably call into question my entitlement to Board certification.
I agree to disqualification from an examination, to denial of issuance of a document of Certification, and to forfeiture and redelivery of any document of Certification granted me by the ABD in the event (a) that any of the statements made by me are false, misleading, or materially incomplete, (b) that I fail to cooperate with the ABD in any investigation, or (c) that I violate this Honor Code or any of the rules and policies of the ABD.
I understand that if, after investigation, ABD has reason to believe that I have engaged in conduct violative of this Honor Code or any other improper behavior in connection with the examination or otherwise, whether or not such behavior had an effect on my performance, ABD may invalidate my examination, revoke my certification, and bar me from retaking the examination in the future. I also understand that ABD may require me to retake one or more portions of the examination if the ABD is presented with evidence that the security of the examination has been compromised, notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of my personal involvement in such activities.
DISCLOSURE OF EXAM RESULTS TO PROGRAM DIRECTOR
For exams taken during training or for initial certification: I understand that my training director may receive selected results of the examination and/or other information relating to the examination. I hereby authorize the release of my results and other information to my program director.
WAIVER OF RIGHT TO SUE
The ABD endeavors to administer the Board-certification process in a manner that keeps costs down to candidates and Diplomates. Litigation against ABD by such candidates or Diplomates imposes substantial expenses that are directly contrary to this goal. Accordingly, the ABD requires each candidate to sign the following WAIVER OF RIGHT TO SUE before being permitted to take any certification examination. We ask you, therefore, to sign the following WAIVER:
I hereby hold the ABD, its members, examiners, officers, and agents free from any complaint, claim, or damage arising out of any action or omission by any of them in connection with my application, any examination given by the ABD, any grade relating thereto, the failure to issue me any Certificate, or any demand for forfeiture or redelivery of such Certificate. I understand that the decision as to whether I am eligible to sit for an examination or qualify for a Certificate is within the sole discretion of the ABD. I further agree that any suit that I may bring against the ABD or its members, examiners, officers, or agents will be brought in a court located in Cook County, Illinois – and that I will be fully responsible for all legal fees and costs incurred by ABD in connection with any suit that I may bring. I understand that waiving my right to sue does not affect my right to appeal adverse decisions to ABD.
I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT, CONSISTING OF (1) THE ABD HONOR CODE, (2) CONSENT TO DISCLOSURE OF EXAM RESULTS, AND (3) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO SUE. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DOCUMENT. I AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY EACH ASPECT OF IT.
By clicking SUBMIT, I hereby certify that the information stated above is accurate, and that I have read and agree to abide by all three aspects of this document.
