Resources

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.

The ABS policies listed on this website are the current ones in effect and supersede all previous versions. The ABS reserves the right to make changes to all policies at any time.

International Rotations Policy

Policy outlining the requirements for residency or fellowship rotations completed outside the U.S. or Canada for general, vascular, and pediatric surgery, and complex...

General Surgery Readmissibility to Examinations

Policy regarding regaining admissibility to general surgery initial certification examinations.

Lapsed Certificates

Policy outlining the process for surgeons to regain their ABS certification following lapse or expiration.

Flexible Rotation Requests

Trainees may customize up to 12 months of rotations in the last 36 months of general surgery residency to allow for “early tracking”...

General Surgery Re-entry to Residency After Hiatus

Policy regarding re-entering surgical residency following a hiatus of three to six years

General Surgery Credit for Foreign Graduate Medical Education

Policy governing credit for foreign graduate training for board certification in general surgery

General Surgery Leave Policy and Considerations on Workplace Support of Pregnant Surgeons

Policy governing leave during residency training for surgeons applying for initial board certification in general surgery.

Change to ITE Order Policy

All changes to In-Training Examination orders must be submitted via the ABS program portal. Change requests submitted by email or phone will not...

Osteopathic Trainees Policy

Policy regarding initial certification in general and/or vascular surgery for osteopathic residents in ACGME-accredited training programs.

Military Activation Policy

Policy regarding active duty military as it relates to ABS examinations.