Adapting to Change: Proposed Next Steps for an Evolving and More Inclusive American Board of Surgery Examination Paradigm

Since its foundation in 1937, the American Board of Surgery (ABS) has provided board certification for surgeons who have met rigorous standards of education, training, and professional requirements in general surgery. The ABS regulates the administration of standardized testing for general surgeons, which includes the two board certification exams - the General Surgery Qualifying Examination (QE) and the General Surgery Certifying Examination (CE) - the ABS In-Training Examination (ABSITE), and the Continuous Certification Assessment (CCA). These exams are offered annually on very select dates, and no formal policy exists for exceptions. As trainees and early-career surgeons may experience various life events during these fixed times, we call on the ABS to consider additional flexibility in written exam scheduling, including the ABSITE and QE, to mitigate the potential negative effects of major life events on an individual's surgical career.