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

Alternate Pathway to Certification - LIVE
The 2022 application process for the Alternate Pathway to Certification is now open.  Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm (Eastern) on Thursday, September 15, 2022.  To obtain access to the application, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information:  First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Suffix, Degree, Email, Phone. The Board will then send you information on how to access the application.

Applications for Primary Certification and Subspecialty Certification
The applications process for primary certification and congenital subspecialty certification are now open. To access the application, candidates will need to sign-in to their Portal Account.

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.

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 Examination
    		   September 1–October 28
     
    Congenital MOC 10-year Examination
    		   September 1–October 28
     
    MOC 5-year Applications Due   October 9, 2022 - NEW DATE
    MOC 5-year Late Applications   October 10-21, 2022 - NEW DATE
    SESATS 13 Due   February 3, 2023 - NEW DATE
     
    Congenital MOC 5-year Applications Due   October 9, 2022
    Congenital MOC 5-year Application Late Period   October 10-21, 2022
     
    Primary Certification Applications Due   June 15–August 15
    Primary Certification Part I (Written) Exam   December 12–16
     
    Congenital Initial Certification Applications Due   June 1–August 15
    Congenital Part I (Written) Exam   December 12–16