Check a Certification

Certification Statistics and Public Data

Total number of ABS diplomates certified in each specialty area, geographical maps of certified surgeons, examination pass rates, demographic information, and other related data.

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Public Data
Available through our easy-to-use interactive tools

The ABS receives many data inquiries regarding examination pass rates over the years, residency and fellowship program statistics, and demographic information on our diplomates. We are pleased to share this robust data with the public through our easy-to-use interactive tools.

Current Diplomate Totals

Approximately 34,000 surgeons certified by the ABS

A total of approximately 34,000 surgeons (known as diplomates) are currently board certified by the ABS. See below for the current totals by specialty. Note that some surgeons are certified in more than one specialty. (Data as of April 2023.) 

30000
General Surgery
3000
Vascular Surgery
1000
Pediatric Surgery
4000
Surgical Critical Care
400
Complex General Surgical Oncology
100
Hand Surgery
surgeons posing in operating room
doctor shaking a smiling patient's hand
Cumulative Diplomate Totals

Over 80,000 all-time certifications

The following totals reflect the number of surgeons who have been certified or recertified in the specialty since the certificate was instituted.

General Surgery
Surgeons certified: 71,099 through April 2023
Year certification began: 1937
Pediatric Surgery
Surgeons certified: 1,698 through April 2023
Year certification began: 1974
Surgical Critical Care
Surgeons certified: 5,542 through April 2023
Year certification began: 1986
Hand Surgery
Surgeons certified: 350 through April 2023
Year certification began: 1989
Complex General Surgical Oncology
Surgeons certified: 494 through April 2023
Year certification began: 2015
Vascular Surgery
Surgeons certified: 4,735 through April 2023
Year certification began: 1982; became a primary specialty 2006