American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (ABCOS)

The American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (ABCOS) is a committee of the American Federation for Medical Accreditation offering certification to physicians who have demonstrated appropriate education, training, and knowledge (through written and oral examination) related to the specialty of clinical orthopedic surgery.

American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery

American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (ABCOS) Board Certification

To ensure effective, safe, and ethical practice in the field of clinical orthopaedic surgery, AFMA provides this specialized accreditation that certifies a practicing clinical orthopaedic surgeon’s education, skills, clinical experience, and behavior.

Our ABCOS certification provides an integral service to hospitals, health systems, and medical groups, as well as to the community of clinical orthopaedic surgeons, patients, and the public, allowing them to make intelligent and informed decisions regarding hiring, selection, and referral to clinical orthopaedic surgeons.

Patients can be assured that an ABCOS board-certified clinical orthopaedic surgeon has the specialized skills, education, clinical experience, and knowledge to practice in the field of clinical orthopaedic surgery.

Complete details on the specific education, training, practice, and credentialing requirements for admission to sit for our ABCOS board certification examinations are available on our Become Certified page. This is where you can learn the requirements and apply for certification.

ABCOS exam

                                The ABCOS certification examination is divided into two parts:

Part I:

The written exam assesses clinical skills in general orthopaedic surgery and its subspecialties to include both adult and pediatric orthopedics.  Knowledge of anatomy, basic sciences and allied specialties is assessed as well.

Part II:

Upon successful completion of the written exam the candidate will be interviewed on his or her clinical skills during an oral exam.  This second part of the exam will include a review of cases submitted by the candidate in addition to in depth discussion pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, surgical techniques, management of adverse outcomes etc.

 

Our Mission

 AFMA ensures that the certifications it offers for the American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (ABCOS)  Board Certification maintains high standards and appropriate internal policies and practices for the administration of examinations for board certification. AFMA’s American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery (ABCOS)  Board Certification is intended to enhance the boards of other accreditation bodies and add an extra dimension that they may not be able to provide, traditionally or politically.

American Board of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery Officers

Sudhir Rao, MD

Sudhir Rao, MD

Chair / President

Michigan

Maxime Coles, MD

Maxime Coles, MD

Secretary

Kansas

Emile Wakim, MD

Emile Wakim, MD

Treasurer

California