1. Make sure the Resident has entered ALL of his or her cases into the CTSNet Resident OpLogs. The Board requires that all fields (date, patient ID, diagnosis, procedure and outcome) be completed. The Board also requires that residents record their cases up until their very last day of residency, even if they have already met the the index case requirements. Submission of an application with incomplete logs will delay the application process by one year. Review the operative logs carefully before submitting the application. The Board also recommends that you keep a printed copy of the Resident's operative log for future needs (i.e, ACGME site visits).
2. You must have either Internet Explorer or Netscape version 4.0 and higher installed and running on your computers. You must have cookies enabled on your web browser. Your computer may be connected to the Internet by modem or by a high-speed connection.
3. Obtain your CTSNet User ID and Password. If you do not know yours, you may obtain it by completing a feedback form.
4. An applicant should inform you when he/she has completed the Online Application. At that point, go to https://secure.ctsnet.org/boardapp/programDirector/ and follow the procedure described.
5. While you are completing the forms, you will be instructed to print out and complete the Endorsement of the Program Director and Certification of Candidate's Case List. Be sure to include these two (2) forms with the forms that the resident submits.
6. The applicant or you must mail the following completed items to the ABTS:
- Endorsement of the Program Director
- Certification of Candidate's Case List
- Identification Form
- American Board of Thoracic Surgery Certification Agreement
- Application for Examination (Signature Page)
- A copy of a US medical license(s) showing a valid through date
- A $475.00 registration fee, payable by check or by credit card (only available online)
7. In addition to the above items, the Board expects the Program Director and the faculty to complete an evaluation on each resident that applies for certification. The evaluations are mailed in April/May of each year and are due back to the Board office by the August 15 deadline. The Board will automatically defer a candidate to the next year's certification cycle if the Program Director and/or faculty evaulations are not received by the August 15 deadline.
Applications that are incomplete or that are received after August 15 will automatically be deferred until the next year's certification cycle.