Annual Fee Policy

In order to continue meeting ABS certification requirements, diplomates enrolled in the ABS Continuous Certification Program must be current with their annual fee payment.

Once a diplomate enrolls in the program, an annual fee will be required. The annual fee reflects the ongoing development of all aspects of the Continuous Certification Program, including diplomate status tracking, public reporting of diplomate status, self-service features like the CME Repository, and the modular assessment process, which requires hundreds of new questions each year with explanations and references, as well as an online delivery platform.

The current annual fee is $285, and covers all general program participation, including one assessment every other year. Diplomates who maintain more than one ABS certificate will pay the $285 annual fee for their first certificate, plus an additional annual fee of $150 for each additional certificate. Fees are assessed at the time of entry into the assessment process for each specialty.

Payments for Continuous Certification Program annual fees must be made online via credit card; checks are not accepted.

In order to continue meeting ABS certification requirements, diplomates must be current with their annual fee payment. If a diplomate does not pay their annual fee in a given year, they will be subject to a late payment fee of $35 in the following year, and they will not be able to register for their next Continuous Certification Assessment until the outstanding balance has been paid.

If a diplomate does not pay their annual fee in the year that they are due to complete an assessment, they will not automatically receive a grace year in the following year and will lose their certification on Dec. 31 in the year on non-payment. They will be listed as “Not Certified” until their outstanding balance has been paid. Following payment of an outstanding balance, the grace year will be reinstated along with a “Certified” certification status.

Related Policies
Disclaimer

The links posted within resources are provided for informational purposes only. ABS assumes no responsibility for the content of these websites.

Reading Progress

Related Policies

Replacement of Certificate

Policy outlining how a diplomate may request a replacement of their original ABS certificate.
Read More

Military Activation

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

Re-entry to Surgical Practice

Policy regarding surgeon re-entry to active surgical practice following a voluntary or involuntary hiatus of two or more years.
Read More
Contact Us
We are here to help answer any questions

Please submit your request through the contact form and our customer service team will get back to you as soon as possible.