American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) Privacy Policy

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery (“ABTS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy applies to information that ABTS collects (i) on the ABTS website (“Site”); (ii) through platforms used in connection with the services and products we provide; and (iii) by telephone, email, text message, letter, or other methods of communication. When you use our services or products, we collect information provided voluntarily as well as information collected automatically, as described in detail below.

The Site is intended to provide information pertaining to ABTS certification services and products. It provides access to information regarding certification and continuing certification requirements, as well as examination application and registration materials, news, and more.

In the course of application, examination, certification, and continuing certification processes (collectively, “Certification Processes”), ABTS must collect and utilize personal and professional information pertaining to its applicants, candidates, and ABTS-certified surgeons. The goal of establishing and posting this Privacy Policy is to assure all persons providing information to ABTS during the Certification Processes that such information will be handled appropriately and that the privacy of your information will be respected.

About ABTS
ABTS is a not-for-profit medical specialty certifying board that administers Certification Processes and related programs for cardiothoracic surgeons. During these activities, ABTS collects and maintains personal and professional information necessary to support application, examination, certification, and related functions.

  1. Information We Collect
    1. Information Provided Voluntarily
      2. We may collect personal information that you provide voluntarily, including:
      • Name, email address, mailing address, and telephone numbers
      • Date of birth, gender, race, and ethnicity
      • Professional credentials, education, training history, and activities in which you have participated
      • Licensure and employment information
      • Other application or registration information
      • Payment information, including credit card numbers
      • Any other information you choose to provide

      This information may be provided when, for example, you:
      • Complete certification or examination applications
      • Submit forms, documents, or supporting materials
      • Register for examinations, programs, meetings, surveys, or communications
      • Contact ABTS via email or website forms

    2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
      3. Cookies are pieces of stored information on a user’s computer or device that are tied to information about the user and are used to:
      • Provide smoother navigation throughout the Site, such as to store a saved password
      • Analyze website traffic and identify user trends, such as page views
      • Improve website functionality
      You have the option of setting your computer to disable cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used. If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that some features on the Site may not function properly.

    3. Other Automatically Collected Information
      4. Your web browser or mobile device may automatically provide us with information about your interaction with our website, including:
      • Internet Protocol (IP) address or unique device identifier
      • Browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and device information
      • Domain names
      • Access times and referring website addresses

      We use this personal information to identify and communicate with users regarding accounts, assessments, registrations, or support requests; to determine their eligibility to become a candidate for certification; to determine if they have met requirements for maintaining certification; to provide requested services (including examinations); to send notifications; to send SMS/text messages where consent has been provided; to improve our services and website functionality; to generate usage statistics; and to maintain security and compliance obligations.

    Children’s Information
    The Site and our services and products are not directed toward children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with information without parental consent, that information will be deleted from our records.

  2. How We Use Your Information

    3. ABTS uses collected information to provide our services and products and to operate our business. We may use and store such information for legitimate and lawful business purposes, for example, to:

    • Administer Certification Processes
    • Verify credentials and maintain certification records
    • Respond to inquiries and provide support
    • Communicate with applicants, Diplomates, and stakeholders
    • Prepare invoices and process payments
    • Operate and maintain our Site and services
    • Improve website performance and user experience
    • Carry out other legitimate and lawful business purposes


    Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”)
    As part of the Certification Processes, ABTS may require an applicant to submit patient information governed by HIPAA and its regulations, which establish privacy protections for certain health information. ABTS requires applicants or Diplomates that submit patient information as part of the Certification Processes to “de-identify” such information in accordance with HIPAA privacy regulations so that all identifying information and markers that could be used to reasonably identify a patient are removed. If ABTS receives any information that is not de-identified as part of the Certification Processes, it will return such information to the applicant or Diplomate so that it can appropriately be de-identified. ABTS is not responsible for an applicant or Diplomate’s violation of HIPAA and its regulations. If you have questions regarding de-identification or would like more information regarding de-identification requirements, please contact ABTS.

  3. Sharing and Disclosure of Information
    4. Personal information may be shared with third parties, including the following, to complete a specific business transaction on behalf of ABTS:
    1. Certification, Verification, and ABMS Reporting

      2. As part of its role as a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (“ABMS”), ABTS is required to share certain information related to residents, applicants, candidates and Diplomates for inclusion in the ABMS certification databases and reporting systems.

      This may include:
      • Certification status
      • Certification history and Maintenance of Certification and/or Continuing Certification participation
      • Applicant, Candidate and Diplomate data
      • Information necessary to accurately identify Candidates and Diplomates

      This information may also be shared with:
      • Healthcare organizations, credentialing bodies, and the public for purposes of primary source verification
      • Third-party verification services authorized to confirm licensure and other credentials

      ABTS provides certification information to support transparency, public trust, and professional credential verification.

      ABTS does not share applications, examination content, or personal data beyond what is required by ABMS or otherwise used for certification verification and reporting purposes.

    2. Examination Administration

      3. As part of its operations, ABTS shares your personal information with vendors that it engages to administer examinations.

    3. Service Providers
      4. ABTS may share your personal information with vendors and partners for:
      • Website operations
      • Data processing and analysis
      • Communications and support services

    4. Researchers

      5. ABTS shares information with researchers who seek ABTS data on candidates or Diplomates, provided the researchers enter into the ABTS Data Use Agreement.

    5. Governmental Bodies
      6. ABTS shares information to:
      • Comply with applicable laws or legal processes
      • Exercise ABTS’ legal rights, enforce its Terms and Conditions of Use, and assert or defend against legal claims
      • Respond to requests from governmental bodies

  4. Data Security

    5. ABTS employs reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural security measures to safeguard your personal information and to help protect against unauthorized access and disclosure. Online registration information, such as credit card information, will be secured using a commercially accepted method of encryption. Please be aware, however, that no method of electronic transmission is completely infallible, and ABTS cannot guarantee its absolute safety. We encourage you to use reasonable care in how you handle and disclose your personal information, user name(s), and password(s). If you become aware of any breach of Site security, please contact us immediately.

  5. Data Retention

    6. ABTS retains your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as set forth in this privacy policy, after which we will securely destroy or delete such personal information from our records unless otherwise required by law. We will retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and as otherwise set forth in this Privacy Policy.

  6. Your Rights and Choices

    7. ABTS takes your privacy and protection of your personal information seriously. We will provide you with reasonable access and control of your information, provided we can do so and also meet our legal obligations, including our obligations as a certifying board, to maintain accurate records.

  7. External Links

    8. There are external links to other websites throughout the Site. Please note that ABTS is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites and hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection with such linked websites.

  8. Transfer of Information Across International Boundaries

    9. When visiting our Site from a country other than the United States, or while in the United States but connected to an overseas virtual protocol network (“VPN”), electronic communication will necessarily result in the transfer of information across international boundaries. By visiting our Site and communicating electronically with us, you consent to these transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that we primarily intend for individuals located within the United States to access and use the Site.

  9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    10. ABTS may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
    We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

  10. Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms

    11. Using the ABTS Site indicates your acceptance of our Privacy Policy. Your continued visits to the ABTS Site after changes are posted to this policy will signify your acceptance of those changes.

  11. Contact Information

    12. American Board of Thoracic Surgery
    One North Wacker Drive, Suite 2402
    Chicago, Illinois 60606
    info@abts.org
    312.202.5900