Training & Initial Certification

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SESATS

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Congenital Cardiac Surgery 

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Maintenance of Certification

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Public

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NEWS

Applications for Primary Certification and Subspecialty Certification
The applications process for primary certification and congenital subspecialty certification will now open on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.

2-year Congenital Heart Surgery Residency Change

Beginning in 2023, all candidates for congenital cardiac surgery subspecialty certification will be required to complete 2 consecutive years of ACGME training in a single program and complete 150 major cases, with a minimum of 50 major cases in the first year of training. These requirements will be effective for congenital residents who started their training on or after July 1, 2023. Click here for more information.

ABTS Update and MOC Breakfast Session at the AATS
Drs. Bill Putnam (ABTS Chair), Stephen Yang (Exam Chair) and Jennifer Romano (MOC Chair) will be conducting an Update and MOC Breakfast Session at the AATS Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 17 from 6:45-8:00am. The session will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in room 210 in Boston. Topics discussed at the session will include: Video-based Certification Exam, Updates on Continuing Certification, and the MOC process and the Role of SESATS. Time will be given for questions and answers.  

New Edition of SESATS Now Available: SESATS XIII (13)
Order SESATS 13 here.
The newest edition of SESATS, XIII, is now available. SESATS is a comprehensive online tool used to study and review the essential aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery. This latest version features 400 brand new questions with instant access to the items, in-depth critiques, real-time abstracts, and linked references. Completion of this online activity permits one to claim up to 70 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits.

New Leave of Absence Policy for Residents
Effective October 3, 2020, the ABTS adopted a new Leave of Absence Policy that will affect all residents in both thoracic surgery and congenital cardiac surgery residency programs. To read more about the new Leave of Absence Policy, Click here.


Board Office
 Due to COVID-19, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery will be limiting the number of staff available. Until further notice, please be aware your call may take up to 48 hours to be returned. For a quicker response to your inquiries and/or questions, please send an email to the following email addresses: for SESATS questions: [email protected], for MOC questions for Primary Certification: [email protected] or [email protected], for Congenital Subspecialty Certification questions: [email protected], for all other ABTS questions and/or inquires: [email protected]

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2022 Upcoming Deadlines

  •  
    MOC 10-year Applications Due
    		   March 7–May 25
    MOC 10-year Applications Late Submission
    		   May 26–June 16
    MOC 10-year Examination
    		   September 1–October 28
     
    Congenital MOC 10-year Applications Due
    		   March 7–May 25
    Congenital MOC 10-year Applications Late Period
    		   May 26-June 16
     
    MOC 5-year SESATS Due (Primary Cert.) for 2021   February 11
    MOC 5-year Applications Due   June 20–August 19
    MOC 5-year Late Applications   August 20–September 9
     
    Congenital MOC 5-year Applications Due   June 20–August 19
    Congenital MOC 5-year Application Late Period   August 20–September 9
     
    Primary Certification Applications Due   June 1–August 1
    Primary Certification Part II (Oral) Exam - Virtual   June 10–11
    Primary Certification Part I (Written) Exam   December 12-16
     
    Congenital Initial Certification Applications Due   June 1–August 1
    Congenital Part II (Oral) Exam - Virtual   May 20
    Congenital Part I (Written) Exam   December 12-16