Residency Requirements

Candidates must fulfill all residency requirements of the Board in force at the time their applications are received.

Candidates for certification must complete a minimum of 24 months of residency training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in a program accredited by the ACGME's Review Committee on Thoracic Surgery (RC-TS). This must include 12 months of continuous senior-level responsibility in their last year of training in the institutions of the residency program. These requirements also pertain to the 6-year integrated residency programs.

Education and adequate operative experience in both general thoracic surgery and cardiovascular surgery are essential parts of any approved thoracic surgery residency program, irrespective of the area of thoracic surgery in which a candidate may choose to practice.