American Board of Surgery | www.absurgery.org

Qualifying Examination applications for vascular surgery, pediatric surgery and complex general surgical oncology, as well as the application for the Surgical Critical Care Certifying Examination, will be available by the end of day on Friday, June 5th. The application deadline has been extended to July 15, and late applications will be accepted through July 31. All applications will be submitted electronically via the ABS website. Please continue to check this homepage for updates.

In recognition of the COVID-19 evolving situation, the June 1-3 General Surgery Certifying Exam has been cancelled. See our COVID-19 news alert page for updated information as it becomes available.

As of 5 p.m. March 16th, the physical ABS office will be closed until further notice, complying with a state-wide order from Pennsylvania officials. Staff will be available via phone and email during normal business hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET. Please check our website news area and social media pages frequently for updates.

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News & Announcements

May 2020

COVID-19 Updates and Notices - Updated Frequently

An area of the ABS website dedicated to COVID-19 updates and notices relevant to diplomates, trainees and training programs.

June 5, 2020

ABS to Welcome 4 New Councilors

The ABS announces four new councilors who will join the ABS Council as of July 1, 2020.

May 31, 2020

ABS Statement on Racism

The ABS stands with the medical community to decry the sickness of racism.

May 18, 2020

ABS Announces Academic Pathway to Certification for International Medical Graduates

ABS announces an alternate pathway into the certification process for International Medical Graduates.

May 7, 2020

2020 General Surgery Qualifying Exam To Be Administered Virtually

The July 2020 ABS General Surgery Qualifying Examination will be taken by candidates remotely, rather than at a testing center.

Apr. 22, 2020

June General Surgery Certifying Exam Cancelled

The General Surgery Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the June 2020 administration of the General Surgery Certifying Exam.

Apr. 16, 2020

Hardship Modifications to Continuous Certification Reporting Requirements

ABS will make hardship modifications for diplomates to alleviate the impact that COVID-19 may have on completing Continuous Certification Program Requirements.

Apr. 8, 2020

Hardship Modifications to Training Requirements - FAQs

Specialty-specific FAQs pertaining to the global recommendations and hardship modifications announced by ABS in March

Mar. 30, 2020

Message from the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons Regarding Coronavirus-related Racism

ABS stands with and supports our SAAS peers, and we thank those of you who are on the front lines working to treat patients affected by COVID-19.

Mar. 26, 2020

Modifications to Training Requirements

ABS will make hardship modifications across specialties to alleviate the impact that COVID-19 has on training requirements.

Mar. 20, 2020

Vascular Surgery Certifying Examination Cancelled

The Vascular Surgery Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the May 2020 administration of the Vascular Surgery Certifying Exam.

Mar. 19, 2020

ABS Statement on Training Requirements During COVID-19

ABS update on COVID-19 and its effect on residents' ability to meet training requirements.

Mar. 18, 2020

ABS Study Links Initial Certification to Risk of Receiving Severe Disciplinary Actions Against Medical Licenses

New study in JAMA provides evidence that board certification can be viewed as a marker of surgeon quality and professionalism.

Mar. 17, 2020

Pearson VUE Testing Center Closures

Pearson VUE has temporarily closed all U.S.- and Canada-based testing centers until at least April 16.

Mar. 16, 2020

Update to Program Directors - Training Issues

ABS is aware of the gaps in requirements that trainees may face due to COVID-19.

Mar. 13, 2020

Update to Program Directors - FLS/FES and Leave

ABS announces FLS/FES exemptions for the 2020 Qualifying Exam, plus a refresher on the ABS leave policies.

Mar. 09, 2020

American Board of Surgery COVID-19 Response

ABS has instituted a travel ban for all ABS activities through April 2020. The April General Surgery Certifying Exam is cancelled, and all board-related meetings scheduled through April will be held virtually.

Feb. 19, 2020

ABS E-News - Winter 2020

The latest ABS e-newsletter is now available, with information about our new executives, the SCORE merger, a focused practice designation update, Continuous Certification Assessment results, and more.

Feb. 11, 2020

Neurocritical Care Subspecialty Certificate

In conjunction with four other ABMS boards, ABS is pleased to offer an additional certification option to surgical critical care diplomates who are primarily engaged in the practice of neurocritical care.

Dec. 13, 2019

ABS Announces Merger with the Surgical Council on Resident Education

ABS is pleased to announce the merger of ABS and the Surgical Council on Resident Education, also known as SCORE®.

Dec. 12, 2019

Dr. Bruce A. Perler and Dr. Mary E. Klingensmith Appointed Vice Presidents of ABS

ABS is pleased to announce that Bruce A. Perler, M.D., and Mary E. Klingensmith, M.D., have been appointed to serve as vice presidents of the organization.

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