American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)

Certification - since 1948, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has protected the public by establishing and maintaining high standards in Thoracic Surgery. To achieve these objectives, the Board has established qualifications for examinations and procedures for certification. To date, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has certified over 9,000 Thoracic surgeons.

Congenital cardiac Surgery subspecialty certification - since 2009, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has offered a subspecialty certificate in congenital cardiac Surgery. To be eligible for this certificate, diplomates must either complete a congenital cardiac fellowship or provide documentation on their training, current clinical experience and professional accomplishment in the field of congenital cardiac Surgery. To date, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has issued over 250 certificates in congenital cardiac Surgery.

Maintenence of certification - since 1976, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has required its diplomates to complete a recertification program every 10 years. Starting in 2008, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery changed its recertification program into a maintenance of certification process. Diplomates must now demonstrate every five years that they meet standards in professionalism, life-long learning and self-assessment, cognitive expertise and performance in practice.