ABOS Residency to Retirement Roadmap

This infographic guides you through 3 stages of your orthopaedic surgery career.

Click on the next stage to see more details.

Orthopaedic
Surgery Residency

Maintenance
of Certification

Orthopaedic
Surgery Residency

Initial Board
Certification Examinations

Maintenance
of Certification

Below you will see links in the bullet points that will take you directly to the ABOS webpage related to that topic.

ABOS Part I Computer Based Certification Examination
  • Take ABOS Part I Computer-Based Board Certification Examination in July
  • Receive results in September
  • You have 5 years after passing Part I, excluding time spent in fellowship of 6 months or greater, to apply, sit, and pass the ABOS Part II Oral Board Certification Examination
  • Those who pass Part I are considered ABOS Board-Eligible until they pass Part II
Pass: ABOS Eligible Period & Part II Exam
Fail ABOS Part I Computer-Based Board Certification Examination
  • You may reapply in August for the following year’s Part I Examination
Board Eligible Period
(Pass Part I >> Apply for Part II)
  • Minimum of 17 consecutive months of orthopaedic practice. By November 1, you must start practice, have hospital privileges, and remain at that practice and location through March 31 of Part II Examination Year.
  • Case List and Application open December 1
    - Case List collection period: January 1-June 30
  • Review videos on how to prepare
  • Electronically submit Application, Fee & Case List by August 15
  • Receive ABOS Credentials Committee Decision Letter & 12 Selected Cases
  • Upload supporting documents and images for 12 Selected Cases by June deadline
  • Receive your specific examination date and time in June.
Go to Timelines Go to Timelines
ABOS Part II Oral Board Certification Examination
  • Take Part II Oral Board Certification Examination in July
  • Examination results posted online in late August
Fail ABOS Part II Oral Board Certification Examination
  • You may reapply if you are within the 5-year period from passing the Part I Computer-Based Board Certification Examination
  • If it has been more than 5 years from passing the Part I Computer-Based Board Certification Examination, you must apply and take Part I again, excluding time spent in fellowship
The ABOS recommends that you carefully review the appropriate Rules and Procedures for Residency, Initial Board Certification, and Maintenance of Certification. The ABOS reserves the right to make changes in its rules and procedures for its examination and certification at any time and without prior notice. This infographic is a visual aide and may not appropriately reflect your pathway.