Resources
Policies, articles, content outlines, news, announcements, exam dates and related fees, and more.
Important information about certification
The ABS has a plethora of materials available for both surgeons and non-surgeons, including examination guides and content outlines, policies related to ABS certification, published journal articles about certification, information for patients, and more. Please see the sections below for specific materials categories, or view all of our available resources to peruse our entire resource library.
Examination dates, application deadlines, and related fees
Note that the fee listed is per trainee. Any order changes submitted after the deadline will incur a $350 fee per change.
International programs: Exam window is Friday, Feb. 6 to Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Fee: $130 per trainee
Registration available following the release of 2025 PSQE results.
Note that the fee listed is per trainee. Any order changes submitted after the deadline will incur a $350 fee per change.
Note that the fee listed is per trainee. Any order changes submitted after the order deadline will incur a $350 fee per change.
Examination information
Exam content outlines include topic categories and the approximate percentage of questions in each category included on a particular exam.
References for the Continuous Certification Assessment
All assessments are developed using references from an ABS partner journal or open-access articles that are selected by question authors each year. Reference lists for each specialty are published each year ahead of the assessment administration window.
SCORE Curriculum Outlines are updated annually
The SCORE Curriculum outlines for each specialty list patient care topics to be covered during a surgical training program.
SCORE Curriculum Outline for General Surgery
SCORE Curriculum Outline for Vascular Surgery
SCORE Curriculum Outline for Pediatric Surgery
SCORE Curriculum Outline for Surgical Critical Care
Policies and procedures related to ABS certification
Candidates and diplomates are excepted to know and abide by all ABS policies and procedures.
Certificate Replacement Policy
Exam Admissibility Policy – General Surgery & Vascular Surgery
Substance Abuse Policy
Representation of Certification Status
Published work on ABS data
Articles related to the ABS and board certification.
Competency-based curriculum development on medical education: an introduction (PDF)
The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination as a predictor of success on the qualifying examination.
The initial examination for a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand.
What does the American Board of Surgery In-Training/Surgical Basic Science Examination tell us about graduate surgical education?
Information for patients and the public
Patient resources for understanding options available to them, medical license verification, checking board certification status, and more.