Vascular Surgery Readmissibility to Examinations

I. Introduction

Individuals who seek certification in vascular surgery may lose their admissibility for a variety of reasons. The following pathways have been established to allow such individuals to regain admissibility to the Vascular Surgery Qualifying Examination (QE) and Vascular Surgery Certifying Examination (CE).

Individuals who wish to pursue one of the readmissibility pathways below must first contact the ABS coordinator to initiate the process.

II. Time Limitations

If an individual has not actively pursued admissibility or readmissibility to the certification process within 10 years after completion of a vascular surgery training program, they will be required to reenter formal training in a vascular surgery program accredited by the ACGME or RCPSC to regain admissibility to the certification process.

III. 7-Year Readmissibility Period

Individuals who lose admissibility have no more than seven years to successfully regain admissibility to the vascular surgery certification process.

The seven-year period begins immediately once admissibility has been lost, either by exhausting the time limits or exam opportunities granted. If an individual decides to delay in pursuing readmissibility, this will count against the seven-year readmissibility period.

There is an absolute seven-year limit on the total readmissibility process.

Pathway may not be repeated. Once the seven-year period has been exhausted, unsuccessful individuals will be required to re-enter formal training for PGY-4 and PGY-5 level training in a vascular surgery residency program accredited by the ACGME or RCPSC to regain admissibility to the certification process.

IV. Readmissibility Pathways

A. Standard Pathway

1. Overview

The ABS recognizes that surgeons seeking readmissibility to certification examinations benefit from structured mentorship and clinical experience. These guidelines outline key components of a 12-month proctoring plan. The guidelines provide a flexible framework that can be adapted to specialty-specific needs and individual requirements while upholding core standards for readmissibility to board certification examinations.

These guidelines apply to individuals pursuing readmissibility through a Proctored Clinical Practice Pathway. They do not apply to examination-based readmissibility pathways unless specifically required by the relevant Specialty Board of the ABS.

The application of these guidelines, including final determinations of requirements regarding eligibility, required activities, entrustability expectations, successful completion, and specialty-specific requirements rests with each of the ABS’s Specialty Boards.

All proctoring plans require approval from the ABS three months before the proposed start date. The ABS maintains final authority on approval of both the proposed program and documentation of successful completion.

2. Core Requirements

1. 1. Program Administration
      Successful plans require strong leadership and institutional support. A surgeon certified by the ABS who is active in clinical practice must provide a letter of commitment to serve as a mentor.
      1. Mentor Qualifications
         1. Current board certification and completion of a minimum of five years of post-certification clinical practice
         2. Valid medical license and active surgical practice
         3. Documented experience in surgical education and the use of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
      2. Institutional Requirements
         1. Hospital privileges for mentor and candidate
         2. Comprehensive malpractice coverage
         3. Educational resources and adequate case volume to support proctoring
         4. Experience with implementation of EPAs
         5. Support for assessment and documentation
         6. If there is an existing onsite ACGME-accredited training program, verification that this additional surgeon will not negatively impact the program is required
2. Core Competency Focus
   The program must demonstrate that the candidate achieves entrustability. Specific EPA requirements for each individual will be determined by the ABS in consultation with the relevant specialty or subspecialty board.3. Admissibility and Exam Opportunities
3. Assessment Structure
   Regular evaluations ensure progress and address deficiencies promptly. The assessment plan includes:
   1. Required Evaluations to be Submitted to the ABS
      1. Initial baseline assessment, gap analysis, and learning plan
      2. Quarterly written competency evaluations
      3. Midpoint formal assessment
      4. Final comprehensive evaluation
   2. Documentation Portfolio to be Submitted to the ABS
      1. Detailed case logs, including an overview of the outcomes
      2. Assessment results and evaluations including EPA-based assessments as  required by the Specialty Board.
      3. Conference participation records
      4. Quality improvement activities
4. Additional Requirements
   Specialty Boards may add requirements unique to their specialty, such as simulation-based training, participation in specialty-specific learning activities, or CME courses.
5. Submission Process
   The path to approval and completion involves several key steps:
   1. Identification of a mentor
   2. Initial plan submission with mentor credentials
   3. Quarterly progress reports
   4. Final documentation package with mentor endorsement
6. Remediation
   In case of deficiencies, a written remediation plan must be submitted within two weeks, with monthly reassessment and possible program extension (maximum three months).

B. Alternative Pathways

1. Vascular Surgery QE Readmissibility Pathway

This pathway applies to individuals who exhausted their Vascular Surgery QE examination opportunities or time limit.

To pursue this pathway, an applicant must submit the following:

1. A completed application for the Vascular Surgery Readmissibility Examination
2. Documentation of a valid and unrestricted medical license
3. Documentation of 60 credits of Category 1 CME with self-assessment completed within the last 24 months
4. Evidence of successful completion of the most recent version of the Society for Vascular Surgery’s (SVS) Vascular Education and Self-Assessment Program (VESAP^®). This may be used to satisfy the CME requirement above
5. Application fee of $550 paid by credit card through the ABS website
6. Reference letters from the chair of surgery and chair of the credentials committee at the hospital where the majority of the surgeon’s work is done
7. An operative case log for the most recent 12-month period

If the applicant has not been actively practicing surgery, the last two items may be waived. However, to be eligible for this pathway an individual must be practicing clinical medicine in some venue and submit reference letters from two individuals in a supervisory capacity who are familiar with the applicant’s practice. These reference letters must describe the applicant’s practice and attest to the applicant’s performance, ethics and professionalism.

The completed application must be received by February 1 in the year prior to when the applicant wishes to take the examination listed below. Upon approval of the application, the following requirement must be fulfilled within a period of five years from date of approval. Failure to successfully complete this requirement within the five-year window will require the entire application process to be reinitiated.

The Vascular Surgery Readmissibility Examination is offered annually from mid-March to mid-May at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide. Applicants may select their exam date, time, and location within the designated exam window.

Admissibility and Examination Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this pathway, the applicant will be admissible to the Vascular Surgery QE for four opportunities within four years and will be declared “in the examination process.” The start of the four-year period of admissibility begins upon successful completion of the requirements and continues for four consecutive academic years thereafter.

If the applicant is unsuccessful in completing this pathway or in passing the Vascular Surgery QE during the readmissibility period, they must complete a period of formal training in a program accredited by the ACGME or RCPSC to regain admissibility.

2. Vascular Surgery CE Readmissibility Pathway

This pathway applies to individuals who exhausted their Vascular Surgery CE examination opportunities or time limit.

To pursue this pathway, an applicant must submit the following:

1. A completed application for readmissibility
2. Documentation of a valid and unrestricted medical license
3. Documentation of 60 credits of Category 1 CME with self-assessment completed within the last 24 months
4. Evidence of successful completion of the most recent version of the SVS’ Vascular Education and Self-Assessment Program (VESAP). This may be used to satisfy the CME requirement above
5. Application fee of $550 paid by credit card through the ABS website
6. Reference letters from the chair of surgery and chair of the credentials committee at the hospital where the majority of the surgeon’s work is done
7. An operative case log for the most recent 12-month period

If the applicant has not been actively practicing surgery, the last two items may be waived. However, to be eligible for this pathway an individual must be practicing clinical medicine in some venue and submit reference letters from two individuals in a supervisory capacity who are familiar with the applicant’s practice. These reference letters must describe the applicant’s practice and attest to the applicant’s performance, ethics and professionalism.

The completed application must be received by July 1 to take the examinations listed below in the same year. Upon approval of the application, the following requirement must be fulfilled within a period of five years from date of approval. Failure to successfully complete this requirement within the five-year window will require the entire application process to be reinitiated.

• Successful completion of the Vascular Surgery Qualifying Examination

The Vascular Surgery Qualifying Examination is administered once annually at computer-testing centers on a specific date, usually in September or October.

Admissibility and Examination Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this pathway, the applicant will be admissible to the Vascular Surgery CE for three opportunities within three years and will be declared “in the examination process.” The start of the three-year period of admissibility begins upon successful completion of the requirements and continues for three consecutive academic years thereafter.

If the applicant is unsuccessful in completing this pathway or in passing the Vascular Surgery CE during the readmissibility period, they must complete a period of formal training in a program accredited by the ACGME or RCPSC to regain admissibility.

The current posted version of this policy supersedes all prior versions.