FAQs - General Surgery Qualifying Exam | American Board of Surgery

FAQs - General Surgery Qualifying Exam

For Programs

I am missing at least one chief resident's application letter. How do I request to have this letter sent as soon as possible?

All requests for missing letters due to errors on a program's trainee roster must be made to the ABS office in writing; please allow 48-72 business hours for any requests to be processed. To request changes to your program roster, please contact the exam coordinator. The name(s) of your residents must be included in your message.

How do I request application access for a PGY-4 resident?

All application access for PGY-4 residents who wish to take the QE must be made to the ABS office in writing; please allow 48-72 business hours for any requests to be processed. Please contact the exam coordinator to initiate your request. The name(s) of your residents must be included in your message.

What is the processing time for any application requests made?

Requests for modifications to a program's trainee roster or application access for any PGY-4 residents must be made in writing; please allow 48-72 business hours for these requests to be processed. Please contact the exam coordinator to initiate your request. The name(s) of your residents must be included in your message.

Please note that, while any phone calls will be responded to as quickly as possible, email is the best way to reach ABS staff with any questions or concerns; due to the volume of requests received, we will respond within 48-72 business hours. If you send an inquiry via email, please do not follow up with a call unless your email has not been responded to within 72 business hours.

For Candidates

When does the 7-year limit for certification begin?

Surgeons who complete general surgery residency after July 1, 2012, have no more than 7 academic years following residency to achieve certification in general surgery, i.e., pass both the QE and CE. The 7-year period starts immediately upon completion of residency. Only one exam opportunity will be offered in each year of the 7-year period.

Applicants who apply to the QE immediately after residency will receive up to 4 opportunities within 4 years to pass the QE. If you delay in applying for the QE after residency, or do not take the QE when offered, you will lose exam opportunities. Upon successful completion of the QE, applicants will be offered up to 3 opportunities within 3 years to pass the CE. The three CE opportunities begin immediately upon successful completion of the QE. If you do not take the CE when offered, you will lose an exam opportunity. Bottom line: Don't delay!

Can a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) become certified by the American Board of Surgery?

Yes, a D.O. can apply for certification by the ABS if they have completed a general surgery training program accredited by the ACGME or the RCPSC. The same is true for all other ABS specialties. In addition, refer to our Osteopathic Trainees Policy for information regarding individuals currently in an osteopathic residency program.

I am in a fellowship and only have a limited license. Can I take the QE without having a full and unrestricted license?

Yes. A full and unrestricted license is not required for either QE or CE registration. However, a full and unrestricted state medical license will be required before a candidate will be considered certified by the ABS. Candidates must provide proof of medical license before they will be issued their certificate, and will be listed in the ABS verification system as "in the examination process" until proof is submitted. Temporary, limited, educational or institutional licenses will not be accepted, even if you are currently in a fellowship.

The person who was the program director for my residency has since left the position. Can the new program director or another official approve my application?

No. The individual who was your program director during your residency must approve your application, even if they no longer hold that position.

For the operative experience requirement, how many cases do I need?

As of 2017-2018, the ABS' minimum requirements are 850 procedures as operating surgeon over five years, with at least 200 in the chief year. Applicants must also list at least 40 cases in surgical critical care, with a minimum of one in each category, and at least 25 TA cases. See Training Requirements for more details.

My application for the QE was approved last year but I failed/did not take the exam. Do I need to submit a new application this year?

No; as long as you have remaining exam opportunities, you will automatically be sent registration information for the next examination. To confirm your participation in that year's QE, you must complete the online registration form and make payment of the exam fee.

Why does my program director receive my exam results?

Residents' performance on ABS examinations is one factor evaluated by the ACGME when reviewing a residency program's accreditation. Your program thus needs to continuously monitor the examination performance of its residents.