ABPlSurg Plastic Surgery
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certifying process is the route by which plastic surgeons in the United States demonstrate that they have met the profession's own standards, and it is administered by the Board itself, an independent organization based in Philadelphia. Candidates typically reach it after completing an accredited plastic surgery residency and being evaluated through the Board's training registration and evaluation process. The process has two principal stages: a written examination, which tests the breadth of plastic surgery knowledge and judgment across the full scope of the specialty, and an oral examination, in which candidates discuss cases and management decisions with examiner panels. The Board publishes separate written and oral examination process descriptions, quick reference tips for candidates, examination content outlines, and deadlines, so candidates should treat those documents as the authoritative roadmap rather than secondhand summaries. Preparation is best built around the published content outline, a structured review of the core reconstructive and aesthetic subject areas, and repeated self-testing with the Board's own practice examination for the written component; for the oral component, practice in articulating case-based decisions aloud is the highest-yield activity. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Board.
What you'll study
About ABPlSurg Plastic Surgery preparation
What are the two parts of the ABPS certifying process?
The Board lists a written examination and an oral examination as separate processes, each with its own published requirements, content description, and quick reference tips for candidates. The written component assesses knowledge across the specialty; the oral component is case-based discussion with examiners. Check each process page for current requirements.
When are the next scheduled examinations?
The Board's site lists the Written Examination on May 11, 2027, the Oral Examination on November 12, 13, and 14, 2026, and the Hand Surgery Examination on August 4, 2026. These are announced dates; confirm against the Important Dates & Deadlines page before making travel or leave plans.
How hard is the written examination?
It covers the full breadth of plastic surgery rather than a single subspecialty, so candidates who study only their clinical concentration tend to struggle. Breadth-first review aligned to the Board's published examination content outline, followed by targeted depth in weak areas, is the standard approach. The Board provides a practice examination to familiarize candidates with the format.
Does the Board publish what the exams cover?
Yes. The site has an Examination Content section plus separate Written Examination Process & Requirements and Oral Examination Process & Requirements pages. Those documents, not third-party outlines, should drive your study plan, since content emphasis can change between administrations.
How should I sequence my study for the written exam?
Start with the Board's content outline to map the domains, then allocate time proportional to both domain size and your own weakness. Build a broad pass first, add case-based self-testing second, and finish with timed practice using the Board's practice exam so pacing is rehearsed rather than discovered on exam day.
What causes candidates to fail the oral examination?
The oral format rewards clear, defensible decision-making under questioning. Common problems are disorganized case presentation, inability to justify a management choice or its alternatives, and discomfort discussing complications and revisions. Rehearsing cases aloud with a colleague who interrupts and probes is the most direct countermeasure.
What is the retake policy?
The Board maintains a Reapplication Information page and a Policies section covering candidate matters. Because reapplication terms and any limits on attempts are set there and can be revised, read those pages directly rather than relying on what colleagues remember from prior cycles.
How much does it cost, and how do I contact the Board?
Fees are listed on the Board's Fee Schedule page. The Board office is at 1601 Market Street, Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2204, and the office telephone number is 215-587-9322. The same number is listed for accessibility accommodation requests relating to the website.
How long is certification valid, and what maintains it?
The Board administers a Continuous Certification program with its own activities, requirements, and deadlines, distinct from initial certification. Rather than assume a fixed validity period, review the Continuous Certification Program Overview and its Important Dates & Deadlines page, since participation requirements are periodically updated.
Is this page an official Board resource?
No. This is an independent study platform's summary page and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Always confirm dates, fees, requirements, and policies on the Board's own website before acting on anything you read here.