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2016 Exam Applications Now Available

Mar. 23, 2016

• The American Board of Surgery is pleased to announce that the online application process for all 2016 examinations is now available. Please see the links below for information specific to your exam. Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible.
• To meet an application deadline, the application form, operative report (if required), original signature form with all signatures, and application fee must be at the ABS office by the deadline date.

Initial Certification

General Surgery Qualifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Vascular Surgery Qualifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Pediatric Surgery Qualifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Surgical Critical Care Certifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Complex General Surgical Oncology Qualifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Hospice and Palliative Medicine Certifying Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

MOC/Recertification

All ABS certificates expire on Dec. 31. Diplomates are eligible to apply for an MOC (recertification) exam starting 3 years before their certificate's expiration; this includes the final year of certificate validity.

General Surgery MOC (Recertification) Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Vascular Surgery MOC (Recertification) Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Pediatric Surgery MOC (Recertification) Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Surgical Critical Care MOC (Recertification) Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

Hospice and Palliative Medicine MOC (Recertification) Exam

• About the Exam
• |  Application Instructions
• |  Online Application

About the ABS

• The American Board of Surgery is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their board certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities.
• The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.