Surgery Recertification

Requirements for Recertification

Beginning in 2014, physicians who are currently certified in Surgery must meet the following Continuous Competency in Certification® (CCC) Requirements:

  1. Submit a completed recertification application with required information and $200 application fee by December 1, bi-annually;
  2. Included with the application, submit documentation (copies of an official printout or copies of certificates) of 50 hours of CME, with at least 25 of those hours being related to Surgery, per year;
  3. Included in the CME, submit documentation of the completion of at least 100 questions of Surgery-related Self-Assessment**, per year;
  4. Hold active and unrestricted medical license(s) to practice in the U.S. or Canada and provide a copy with current expiration date;
  5. Submit payment of annual CMF by January 1 of each year;
  6. Complete 4 CME hours of AAPS-approved*** Medical Ethics every eight years.

Note: The first bi-annual application is due by December 1 of the year the current certification expires. All other requirements apply, beginning in 2014. The first bi-annual application needs to be accompanied by the applicable CME documentation for the full eight-year certification period. Applicants must document that the CME requirements that were in place from the year they were last certified or recertified through 2013 AND the above requirements from 2014 onward have been met.*  In the years following the first bi-annual application, ALL of the above requirements must be met in order for certification to remain in good standing.

* Physicians who were newly certified or recertified in 2006 or later were required to meet the ABPS Standards for RecertificationClick Here to view a copy of the brochure or Click here to download a PDF copy of the brochure.

** CME activities that require you to pass a quiz or test to attain AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM can be used to satisfy the requirement for completion of Self-Assessment questions. The following resources are available for on-line CME and self-assessments:

A list of CME/Self Assessment Resources compiled by Dr. Bernard Sklar (Online Continuing Medical Education) is available at http://www.cmelist.com/list.htm.

Another resource for On-Line self assessments is NetCE at www.netce.com.

***AAPS-approved Medical Ethics courses include the AAPS-sponsored Medical Ethics course held annually in conjunction with the AAPS Scientific Meeting OR must contain the term “Medical Ethics” in the title or clearly in the syllabus of the course, must be intended for physicians, and cannot be the same course taken multiple times to meet the 4 credit requirement.

Download Board Recertification Application (.pdf, 163 KB)

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine