Surgeons

Certification or Licensing

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) offers primary board certification in surgery (general surgery) and vascular surgery, and secondary certification in pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, and complex general surgical oncology.

Certification is voluntary, but it is highly recommended. Most hospitals will not grant privileges to a surgeon without board certification. HMOs and other insurance groups will not make referrals or payments to a surgeon without board certification. Also, insurance companies are not likely to insure a surgeon for malpractice if he or she is not board certified.

To be eligible to apply for certification in surgery, a candidate must have successfully completed medical school and the requisite residency in surgery. Once a candidate's application has been approved, the candidate may take the computer-based examination. After passing the computer-based exam, the candidate may then take the oral exam.

"Surgeons certified by the ABS, known as diplomates . . . must complete continuing education and assessment activities in a process currently known as Continuous Certification in order to remain certified by the ABS," according to the board's Web site.

Certification is available in a number of surgical specialties, including plastic surgery, colon and rectal surgery, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, and thoracic surgery. The American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association recognizes 24 specialty boards that certify physicians and surgeons.

All physicians and surgeons must be licensed by the state in which they work.