FAQs - General Information for Diplomates | American Board of Surgery

FAQs - General Information for Diplomates

I still have time left on my 10-year certificate, but my status says I'm not meeting requirements. What do I have to do to get back on track?

Diplomates who are not yet enrolled in the Continuous Certification Program must still meet ongoing requirements to remain in good standing. This includes 150 Category 1 CME credits, 50 of which must be self-assessment. Most program requirements should be updated no less than every five years. Diplomates are encouraged to log in to their ABS portal periodically to check the status of their requirements.

Are the ABS and the American College of Surgeons affiliated?

We are completely separate and distinct organizations. We have been based in Philadelphia since our founding in 1937, while the ACS is based in Chicago.

Does the ABS provide guidelines for hospital/credentialing privileges?

We do not. We believe credentialing decisions are best made by locally constituted bodies and should be based on an individual's extent of training, depth of experience, patient outcomes relative to peers, and certification status.

I was certified by the ABS but allowed my certification to lapse. Can I still call myself an ABS diplomate?

Only if you make clear the certification is no longer valid by using "former diplomate," "past diplomate," the dates of your certification, etc. Otherwise it will be considered misrepresentation of your certification status. Please see also Diplomate Representation of Certification Status.

I am a current ABS diplomate. Can I put the ABS logo on my website or practice brochure?

Use of the ABS seal/logo for promotional purposes is not permitted. You are welcome, however, to link to the ABS website so patients can learn more about ABS certification and verify their surgeon's certification status.

What should I do if a surgeon is misrepresenting him- or herself as being certified by the American Board of Surgery?

Please send your information in writing to the ABS addressed to Jo Buyske, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. Please include copies or examples in which the surgeon misrepresented him- or herself, such as magazine ads, letterhead, website printouts, etc. Generally no action can be taken based on verbal misrepresentations, only on those where printed misrepresentations are present.

How can I obtain another copy of my certificate?

The ABS will issue only one certificate per diplomate; we do not provide multiple copies. If your original certificate has been destroyed or lost, you may request a replacement by sending a notarized letter to the ABS office stating the reason for the replacement along with a check for $150. The replacement certificate will have a disclaimer at the bottom stating "Reissued in lieu of original certificate" and will have the signatures of the current ABS officers. Replacements typically take six to eight weeks. If you need written verification of your certification status in the interim, please go to Check a Certification.