American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery

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In Person Examination Sept 9, 2023 at 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 of the ABCRS and all the examiners, we look forward to seeing all candidates in September 2023.

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  • 20600 Eureka Road, Suite 600 Taylor, MI 48180
  • Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Ethics and Professionalism Policy

Unethical and unprofessional behavior is denoted by any dishonest behavior, including: cheating; lying; falsifying information; misrepresenting one’s educational background, certification status and/or professional experience; and failure to report misconduct. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy toward these behaviors, and individuals caught exhibiting such behaviors risk being permanently barred from certification, reported to state medical boards, and/or legally prosecuted for copyright or other violations.

Unethical behavior is specifically defined by the ABCRS to include the disclosure, publication, reproduction or transmission of ABCRS examinations, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purposes. This also extends to sharing examination information or discussing an examination while still in progress. Unethical behavior also includes the possession, reproduction or disclosure of materials or information, including examination questions or answers or specific information regarding the content of the examination, before, during or after the examination. This definition specifically includes the recall and reconstruction of examination questions by any means and such efforts may violate federal copyright law. All ABCRS examinations are copyrighted and protected by law; the ABCRS will prosecute violations to the full extent provided by law and seek monetary damages for any loss of examination materials.

Continuing Certification

What does it mean when a physician is required?

Continuing Certification or Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a process adopted by all 24 ABMS boards that assesses six core physician competencies approved by the ABMS and the ACGME throughout a physician’s career. The six competencies that have been identified as important to deliver quality care are communication skills, professionalism, medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, which includes the ability to measure, and improve quality of care and system-based practice. All physicians certified after 1990 are required to participate in Continuing Certification.

What does it mean when a physician is required?

Prior to 1990, certification by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery was granted for life. These certified colon and rectal surgeons are not required to recertify or to meet the requirements of Maintenance of Continuing Certification in this area but are strongly encouraged to do so.