American Board of Surgery

The ABS offers primary board certification in surgery (general surgery) and vascular surgery, and secondary certification in pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, and hand surgery. Successful completion of the Qualifying Exam (QE), or written exam, is the first step in the initial certification process for most ABS specialties*. If both a Qualifying Exam and Certifying Exam are required, the Qualifying Exam is a multiple-choice examination, and the Certifying Exam is an oral examination. If only a Certifying Exam is required, then it is a multiple-choice examination. Only one exam opportunity will be offered in each year of the seven-year period. Board certification by the ABS is a voluntary process that demonstrates a surgeon’s commitment to professionalism, lifelong learning, and quality patient care.