Overview

Surgeons may enter the ABS certification process following successful completion of an approved vascular surgery training pathway.

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Intro

Specialty of vascular surgery defined

Vascular surgery encompasses the diagnosis and comprehensive, longitudinal management of disorders of the arterial, venous, and lymphatic systems, exclusive of the intracranial and coronary arteries. Diplomates in vascular surgery should have significant experience with all aspects of treating patients with all types of vascular disease, including diagnosis, medical treatment, and reconstructive vascular surgical and endovascular techniques.

In addition, diplomates in vascular surgery should possess the advanced knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care to patients with vascular disease; understand the needs of these patients; teach this information to others; provide leadership within their organizations; conduct or participate in research in vascular disorders; and demonstrate self-assessment of their outcomes.

The vascular surgeon must have advanced knowledge and experience with the management of vascular problems including:

All elements of clinical evaluation, including non-invasive testing such as plethysmography, duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, CT scans, angiography, and other diagnostic tests utilized in the diagnosis of vascular disease.
Comprehensive management of vascular disease to include screening and surveillance, medical management, drug therapy, risk factor management, and wound management including amputations, as well as other adjunctive procedures.
Indications and techniques relating to the open and endovascular treatment of vascular disorders, to include the entire spectrum of interventions used to treat vascular disorders, including such disorders as occlusive, aneurysmal, and inflammatory disease, trauma, and neurovascular compressive syndromes involving the arteries and veins of the body (excluding the intracranial and coronary arteries). These include the aorta and its branches, as well as the arteries of the neck, pelvis and upper and lower extremities, and the venous system.
The critical care of the vascular surgery patient.

Certification Requirements

Surgeons must meet specific requirements before they are deemed certified by the ABS

To become considered certified by the ABS, a vascular surgeon must first meet the training requirements and related criteria in order to enter the initial certification examination process.

Application Requirements

Applicants must meet the program and time requirements, in addition to other specific requirements as outlined, in effect at the time of application to the Vascular Surgery Qualifying Exam (VSQE).

Training Requirements

Eligibility

Surgeons have no more than seven academic years following training to achieve certification in vascular surgery. The seven-year period starts immediately upon completion of training.

Examination Admissibility

Examinations

Successful completion of the Vascular Surgery Qualifying Exam (VSQE) and Certifying Exam (VSCE) is required for board certification in vascular surgery.

Vascular Surgery Examinations

Medical License

A full and unrestricted license is not required to register for vascular surgery initial certification exams, however, a full and unrestricted state medical license will be required before a candidate will be considered certified by the ABS.

Medical License Requirement

Booklet of Information

All current policies, procedures and relevant information related to certification in vascular surgery.

The ABS Booklet of Information for Vascular Surgery is published annually to outline the requirements for board certification in vascular surgery. Potential applicants are encouraged to review it.

Policies

Policies related to initial certification in vascular surgery

Candidates will be expected to be aware of and abide by all policies related to initial certification in vascular surgery throughout the certification process.