American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Certifying (Oral) Examination 

September 9, 2023: In Person – Omni Chicago Hotel

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed how we all interact. As we enter the endemic phase of COVID, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery is excited to announce that we will be returning to in-person examinations for the 2023 Certifying (Oral) Exam, barring any unforeseen events. This provides an excellent opportunity to reestablish and improve the high-quality experience of this examination. We are taking steps to enhance the examination experience regarding content, format, candidate safety, quality, and diversity, equity and equality. ABCRS is committed to providing its candidates a meaningful and valuable experience. On behalf the ABCRS and all the examiners, we look forward to seeing all candidates in September 2023.

ABMS Announces New Standards

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Board of Directors (BOD) has approved new Standards for Continuing Certification (Standards) at its October meeting. The new Standards represent the culmination of three years of consultation with physicians, professional and state medical societies, consumers, and other public stakeholders from across the health care spectrum to reconceive the way specialty physician recertification is conducted. They were developed following recommendations from the Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission (Commission) which met throughout 2018 to provide strategic guidance to the ABMS BOD and Member Boards. The new Standards have been designed to guide the ABMS Member Boards in establishing continuing certification programs that help diplomates stay current in their specialty while providing hospitals, health systems, patients, and communities with a credential upon which they can continue to rely and depend.  Click here for full announcement.

Statement on Racism

“The ABCRS stands with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Medical Specialties in their condemnation of racism and recognition of its harm.”

American Board of Surgery Statement
The American Board of Surgery stands with the medical community to decry the sickness of racism. We acknowledge that systemic racism in this country damages the health, welfare, safety, and very lives of people of color and therefore our whole society. We affirm our commitment to identify and work to eliminate the impact of racism in our organization, our profession, and our country.

American Board of Medical Specialties Statement
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its 24 Member Boards believe that the institutionalized racism and the violence against communities of color haunting our nation and our culture for centuries is a public health issue that must be addressed.

The trauma of violence and intolerance has a cumulative, direct impact on the health and well-being of a person and is associated with a higher incidence of chronic illness and lower life expectancy. That, coupled with social disparities that limit access to quality care, leave minority communities—especially those of color—vulnerable to systemic health issues as witnessed during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

As a health care community, we must stand against all forms of discrimination and violent acts based on intolerance. We are committed to working together to bring about fair and equal access to health care resources and to establish a system that supports the health and well-being of all our communities regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
WHAT ABCRS DOES FOR DIPLOMATES

As a Diplomate of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, you are recognized nationally and internationally as a specialist in management of diseases of the colon and rectum. Our diplomates have attained the highest certification in this specialty, and through participation in Continuous Certification, demonstrate their expert qualifications in the field of Colon and Rectal Surgery. The Board activities have at the core the commitment to protect and promulgate the acknowledged expertise of ABCRS diplomates in caring for patients with diseases of the colon and rectum. Visit What ABCRS Does For Diplomates for more information.

Purposes and Functions of the Board

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery was established to promote the health and welfare of the American people through the development and maintenance of high standards for certification in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery.

To accomplish this, the Board:

Determines that candidates possess proper qualifications before taking the examination for certification or maintenance of certification.

Conducts examinations to determine the ability and fitness to practice the specialty of colon and rectal surgery.

Awards certificates to those candidates who fulfill its requirements.

Click Here 2023 General Information Book to review our General Information Book.