The American Board of Surgery (ABS) is an independent nonprofit organization that has been providing board certification to surgeons since 1937. Surgeons who are certified by ABS, known as diplomates, have undergone extensive education and training in the field of surgery. They have completed at least 5 years of residency training after medical school, met all ABS training requirements, and successfully passed the ABS examination process.

ABS offers board certification in various specialties including surgery (general surgery), vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, hand surgery, and hospice and palliative medicine. The certification process is voluntary and demonstrates a surgeon's commitment to professionalism, lifelong learning, and high-quality patient care. ABS is composed of a board of directors representing prestigious surgical organizations in the U.

S., with additional directors elected through an open nomination process. The organization's mission is to provide leadership in surgical education and practice and to promote diversity, evaluation, assessment, professionalism, and continuous certification of surgeons in practice. ABS is dedicated to improving the specialty of surgery and protecting the public.

Currently, approximately 31,000 surgeons are board certified by ABS, and the organization remains committed to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care