The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery

What The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery does

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) is a U.S. nonprofit medical specialty certification board founded in 1934 and domiciled in Taylor, Michigan, with an additional testing presence at the ABOG Testing Center in Dallas, Texas. As one of 24 Member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), ABCRS develops and maintains certification standards for the colon and rectal surgery specialty, certifying physicians who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency following general surgery training. Its core products are the Written Examination (Part I) administered at Pearson VUE Testing Centers across the U.S. and Canada, and the Oral Examination (Part II) conducted in-person in Dallas. Ongoing competency is maintained through a five-year Continuing Certification program consisting of Professional Standing verification, Lifelong Learning with 80 CME credits, cognitive assessment via the CertLink longitudinal platform (launched 2018), and Evaluation of Performance in Practice.

The organization's underlying technology stack combines Pearson VUE's computer-based testing infrastructure for the Written Exam with the proprietary CertLink platform (abcrs.mycertlink.org), which delivers approximately 10-16 questions per quarter to diplomates and replaces the prior 10-year re-certification written examination. A secure Diplomate Portal (secure.abcrs.org) handles fee payment, certification management, and assessment access, while ABCRS reports diplomate status to the ABMS Official Directory and CertificationMatters.org public verification tool. The ABCRS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary, supports research through grants of up to $20,000 and accepts donations separately from operational revenue.

ABCRS is funded primarily through examination fees (one-time: $400 application, $1,200 Written Exam, $1,200 Oral Exam) and recurring annual continuing certification dues ($500 for time-limited diplomates certified 1990 or later; $200 voluntary for unlimited pre-1990 diplomates), with a $500 reinstatement fee for lapsed certificates plus back dues. Marketing and distribution are non-commercial: the organization reaches candidates and diplomates through its website, seasonal newsletters, the annual ASCRS Scientific Meeting, and direct outreach to residency program directors, while serving as a credentialing authority to hospitals, state medical boards, and patients who use the Find a Physician tool for verification. The board is staffed by a small administrative team of 1-10 employees and is governed by volunteer surgeons.

Name

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Legal name

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Website

https://abcrs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) is a nonprofit ABMS Member Board founded in 1934 that certifies and recertifies colon and rectal surgeons in the United States, serving 2,000+ diplomates through Written and Oral examinations and the CertLink longitudinal assessment platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Specialty Certification

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADACAC

Programmatic Accreditors (Discipline/Profession-Specific)

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

SECONDARYEDAAANAI

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Certification Programs

SECONDARYEDAAALAC

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYHLAKAEAJ

Colorectal Disease & Proctology

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Gastroenterology & Hepatology

SECONDARYEDADACAF

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

Keywords

• Medical specialty certification
• Board certification
• Continuing certification
• Physician credentialing
• Medical specialty board

Headquarters

HQ city

Taylor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Examination Fees: One-time fees charged to candidates for initial certification: $400 application fee, $1,200 written exam fee, $1,200 oral exam fee. Late fees of $200 apply for late submissions.
2. Annual Continuing Certification Fees: Recurring annual fees: $500 for time-limited diplomates (certified 1990 or later), $200 for unlimited diplomates (certified prior to 1990). Late fees of $100 apply if not paid by December 31.
3. Reinstatement Fees: Diplomates who let certification lapse pay a $500 reinstatement fee plus back fees for each year in arrears.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) certifies physicians in the colon and rectal surgery specialty through a two-step examination process (Written Exam Part I at Pearson VUE centers and Oral Exam Part II in Dallas, TX) and administers an ongoing Continuing Certification program via the CertLink longitudinal assessment platform. The board serves over 2,000 certified colorectal surgeons and operates as one of 24 ABMS Member Boards, providing credential verification through its public Find a Physician directory.

Product overview

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) operates a multi-component certification ecosystem for colon and rectal surgeons. The initial certification process requires passing the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam, followed by the ABCRS Written Examination (Part I) administered at Pearson VUE Testing Centers, and an Oral Examination (Part II) conducted in-person. For ongoing certification, diplomates participate in the Continuing Certification Program—a five-year cycle comprising Professional Standing verification, Lifelong Learning with 80 CME credits, the quarterly CertLink longitudinal assessment platform (replacing the previous 10-year written exam), and Practice Performance evaluation through quality registries. ABCRS also provides the Find a Physician public verification tool, a Diplomate Portal for certification management, and a Foundation Research Grant program supporting certification-related research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CertLink: Online platform for quarterly continuing certification assessments delivering approximately 12 questions to diplomates quarterly, replacing the previous 10-year written re-certification examination.
• ABCRS Foundation

Products and services

• Written Examination (Part I) A six-hour, multiple-choice computer-based examination assessing knowledge of the theory and practice of colon and rectal surgery, including radiology and pathology elements. Administered at Pearson VUE Testing Centers for candidates seeking initial board certification.
• Oral Examination (Part II) An in-person examination evaluating clinical experience, problem-solving ability, and surgical judgment through at least three 30-minute oral examinations by board members. Given annually in the fall at the ABOG Testing Center in Dallas, TX.
• CertLink Longitudinal Assessment Platform A quarterly longitudinal assessment platform delivering approximately 10-16 questions per quarter to diplomates, replacing the previous 10-year written Re-Certification examination. Includes knowledge-based multiple choice questions, article-based assessments utilizing current literature, and clone generation for incorrectly answered items.
• Continuing Certification Program A comprehensive five-year cycle program consisting of four components: Professional Standing (Part I), Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (Part II), Cognitive Expertise via CertLink (Part III), and Evaluation of Performance in Practice (Part IV). Required for time-limited diplomates (certified 1990 or later) at $500 annually.
• ABCRS Foundation Research Grant A research grant program offering up to $20,000 for one-year hypothesis-driven research projects related to colon and rectal surgery certification, including topics such as board certification impact on clinical outcomes, physician wellness, and exam development.
• Find a Physician Directory A public search tool allowing patients to locate and verify board-certified colorectal surgeons within the ABCRS certification network.
• ABCRS Diplomate Portal An online portal for diplomates to access their certification status, complete continuing certification requirements, pay annual fees, view requirements timeline, and access CertLink assessments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% average passing rate for board examinations (2008-2017 data)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCRS is a community of healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing understanding, prevention, and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus. ASCRS co-providers CertLink CME activities with ABCRS and hosts the Question Writing Workshop at its Annual Scientific Meeting.
• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABMS is the recognized leader in developing and setting the gold standard for physician specialty certification in the U.S. ABCRS is one of 24 Member Boards certifying physicians in 40 specialties and 88 subspecialties. ABCRS reports diplomate certification status to ABMS for the Official Directory and public verification.
• American College of Surgeons (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACS is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment. ACS provides Surgeon Specific Case Log System accepted for Part IV requirements and collaborates on quality improvement programs.
• American Board of Surgery (ABS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABS provides board certification for individuals who have met defined standards of education, training, and knowledge in surgery. Candidates must achieve ABS certification before being admitted to the ABCRS Oral Examination (Part II).
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACGME accredits Sponsoring Institutions and residency and fellowship programs. Candidates must complete ACGME-accredited colon and rectal surgery residency. Operative case logs are submitted through ACGME's Resident Case Log System.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson VUE delivers high-stakes exams that empower professions to certify and license individuals. Pearson VUE operates 200+ testing centers in the U.S. and Canada where ABCRS Written Examinations are administered.
• Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery (APDCRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPDCRS maintains high standards in residency training education and provides a forum for exchange of information and discussion of subjects related to colon and rectal surgery training. Provides residency program directory.
• United Ostomy Associations of AmericaminorOthersNonprofit organization that supports, empowers, and advocates for people who had or will have an ostomy or continent diversion surgery.
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGES innovates, educates, and collaborates to improve patient care in gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery.
• Diseases of the Colon & Rectum JournalminorOthersDCR is recognized as one of the world's leading publications in colorectal surgery, ranking in the top 10% of all peer-reviewed surgery journals.
• ASCRS Research FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Research Foundation of ASCRS raises funds and awards grants to support research and educational programs related to colon and rectal diseases.
• American Medical Association (AMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMA is the largest national medical association convening 190+ state and specialty societies. AMA awards 60 AMA PRA Category I credits for achieving initial board certification and provides CME resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Board of Surgery: ABMS Member Board providing prerequisite general surgery certification that all ABCRS candidates must complete. Operates the same certification-board model (written/oral exams, continuing certification) for a closely related surgical specialty, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• American Board of Thoracic Surgery: Small surgical subspecialty ABMS Member Board with similar scale, two-step exam structure (written + oral), and recurring annual certification fees. Most directly comparable by size, structure, and revenue model.
• American Board of Plastic Surgery: ABMS Member Board certifying another surgical subspecialty using written and oral examinations plus Maintenance of Certification. Operates with similar scope and ABMS-aligned governance as ABCRS.
• American Board of Urology: ABMS Member Board for another small surgical subspecialty. Operates with similar two-tier exam structure, annual certification fees, and longitudinal assessment programs.
• American Board of Neurological Surgery: ABMS Member Board for a similarly sized surgical subspecialty, with comparable written/oral examination structure and continuing certification program.
• American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Operates the same Dallas, TX testing center (ABOG Testing Center) used by ABCRS for oral exams. Closely comparable ABMS Member Board in exam delivery infrastructure and subspecialty governance.
• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: Larger ABMS Member Board for a surgical subspecialty. Comparable certification model including Computer-Based Testing through Pearson VUE and longitudinal assessment platforms analogous to CertLink.

Others

• American College of Surgeons: Strategic partner that provides the Surgeon Specific Case Log System used for ABCRS Part IV requirements and collaborates on quality improvement programs. Serves an adjacent role (professional society vs. certification body) within the same specialty ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• National Board of Medical Examiners: Develops and administers the U.S.MLE and other examinations that underpin the medical certification ecosystem. Functions as a peer in the high-stakes medical assessment infrastructure on which ABCRS relies indirectly.
• American Board of Medical Specialties: Umbrella organization of which ABCRS is one of 24 Member Boards. Sets the overarching certification standards ABCRS operates under and publishes the Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abcrsorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-american-board-of-colon-and-rec-tal-surgery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery