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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.
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 July 2024.)
General Surgery
30000
Vascular Surgery
3000
Pediatric Surgery
1000
Surgical Critical Care
4000
Complex General Surgical Oncology
400
Hand Surgery
100
Surgeon Data
Information about surgeons certified by the ABS
Examination Data
Information about ABS examinations
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: 72,582 through July 2024
Year certification began: 1937
Year certification began: 1937
Pediatric Surgery
Surgeons certified: 1,749 through July 2024
Year certification began: 1974
Year certification began: 1974
Surgical Critical Care
Surgeons certified: 5,882 through July 2024
Year certification began: 1986
Year certification began: 1986
Hand Surgery
Surgeons certified: 352 through July 2024
Year certification began: 1989
Year certification began: 1989
Complex General Surgical Oncology
Surgeons certified: 549 through July 2024
Year certification began: 2015
Year certification began: 2015
Vascular Surgery
Surgeons certified: 5,098 through July 2024
Year certification began: 1982; became a primary specialty 2006
Year certification began: 1982; became a primary specialty 2006