The American Board of Thoracic Surgery is now accepting applications for the 2023 certification process.  Access to the application is available on candidates' web portal page. The deadline for completing an application is August 15, 2023.  Applications received after this deadline will be defer to the 2024 year's certification cycle. Please read the following instructions before starting the application:

1. Candidates should enter all of their operative cases into the ACGME OpLogs found on the ACGME web site (www.acgme.org). Cases should be entered through the last day of residency, even if all of the cases index and volume requirements have already been met.  The ACGME will send the residents' operative logs to the Board in mid-September, so it is not necessary for candidates to submit this data with their applications.

2. The application has two parts, one that is completed by the candidate and one that is completed by the Program Director. The first step will be for candidates to complete all of the fields in their half of the application;

3. Candidates will be expected to include the following documents with their applications:

a. A copy of all valid, unrestricted U.S. medical licenses (pdf format); and

b. A photograph (pdf or jpg format) that is not more than 2 inches by 2 inches (passport size) that does not display any institution's name.

4. Candidates will also need to provide the following information in the application:

a. Name of medical school and year of graduation and a copy of the medical diploma;

b. General Surgery residency and dates;

c. Thoracic Surgery residency and dates;

d. Current hospital appointments and dates; and

e. ABS Certification # and year (optional);

f. Documentation of current or expired ATLS, FLS and ACLS for residents who started their thoracic surgery training between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2017;

g. Registration fee of $650 payable by Visa, Master Card, or American Express at the time the application is submitted. 

5. As part of the application, candidates will be asked to agree to security statements and other items and/or release statements in the application.

6. Once an application is complete, candidates will need to click on "Next" at the bottom of the applications and electronically send it to their Program Directors along with the other requested documents.

7. The Program Director will need to review the application and verify the accuracy of the information provided by the candidate in the application. He/she/they will also need to review the candidate's Operative Logs on the ACGME web site.

8. Next, the Program Director will need to complete his/her/their part of the application, which includes signing the Certification of Case List and Endorsement of Candidate statements.

9. The last and final step is for the Program Director to submit the application and other requested documents to the Board Office by the deadline of August 15, 2023.  Note: Program Directors historically go on vacation in August.  Do not wait until the last day to submit your application to your Program Director.  The ABTS does not accept late applications.

Please note that the Board will send approval letters to candidates only after the ACGME has sent the operative data to the ABTS. Candidates should expect approval letters in early October (even if you submit your application in June).

Once an application is received, it is considered the official and only record. The Board assumes that the appropriate signatures authenticate the accuracy of the case lists and all other information submitted on the application.