ABS Pediatric Surgery

Candidates must have completed an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited pediatric surgery residency and hold initial certification in general surgery. A full and unrestricted license is required to register for the PSQE. Eligibility runs no more than seven academic years after fellowship training, starting immediately at fellowship completion.

The PSQE tests the knowledge base of pediatric surgery as ABS defines it: diagnostic, operative, and postoperative care for children with congenital and acquired anomalies and diseases that are developmental, inflammatory, neoplastic, or traumatic. The scope includes surgical problems in utero, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and sometimes young adulthood. Use the ABS content outline for detailed content.

It is a computer-based exam delivered at Pearson testing centers. For 2027, ABS lists a Sept. 13-22 window and says the exam will be offered Monday, Sept. 13 and Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2027; candidates choose one date during registration, pending center availability. The reviewed pages do not state the number of questions or the time limit.

The 2027 PSQE window is Sept. 13-22, 2027. The application deadline is July 1, 2027, and the late application deadline is July 15, 2027. Materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. ET on the deadline date; no applications are accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET on the late deadline.

The 2027 PSQE exam fee is listed as TBD. ABS states that payment of both the application fee and the exam fee is required to register. Application fees are nonrefundable. If you withdraw more than 15 business days before the first day of the exam window, the exam fee is refunded minus a $400 processing fee.

Withdrawals must be in writing and confirmed by the ABS office. More than 15 business days before the first day of the window: exam fee refunded minus $400. Fewer than 15 business days or no-show: entire exam fee forfeited. Exam fees cannot be carried over to the following year. Oral exam fees are nonrefundable.

The ABS pages reviewed here do not publish an item count, exam duration, or passing score for the PSQE. Do not rely on memory or older figures. Confirm these details in the current ABS candidate booklet and exam content outline before you build a timed practice plan.

The reviewed ABS pages do not state a retake limit, waiting period, or number of attempts for the PSQE. Because exam fees cannot be carried over, a repeat attempt requires a new registration and fee. Check the current ABS policies and candidate booklet for the governing rules before assuming you can retest immediately.

No. ABS requires successful completion of both the Pediatric Surgery Qualifying Exam and the Pediatric Surgery Certifying Exam. The 2027 certifying exam is listed as virtual, Feb. 2-4, 2027, with a $1,700 fee and registration available after the 2026 PSQE results are released.

Delaying initial certification in general surgery. ABS states that delays in completing initial certification in surgery will delay the pediatric surgery application and therefore reduce a candidate's eligibility for certification in pediatric surgery. It recommends attaining general surgery certification before the end of pediatric surgery fellowship.