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What Does it Mean to Be Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery?
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) was founded in 1937 by the leading U.S. surgical societies to evaluate, examine and certify individuals in the field of surgery. The ABS offers certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine.
The American Board of Surgery is an independent, non-profit organization and is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Other ABMS member boards provide certification in other surgical specialties, such as plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and thoracic (chest) surgery.
Certification by the ABS is a voluntary process meant to recognize individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge specifically in the field of surgery. Board certification is different from possessing a medical license, which is required by law for an individual to practice medicine. Board certification is specialty-specific, whereas medical licensure is not.
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