• Home
• About the
  A.B.L.S.
• History & Purposes
• Why Certify
• Certification
• Study Guide & Testimonials
• List of
  Diplomates
• Contact, Application & Payments
• A.B.L.S. List Serve
• Join Our List Serve
• List Serve Members
• Glossary of Laser Terms

ABLS Background  (ABLS en Español)

In February of 1983 nineteen recognized experts in clinical applications of lasers, laser research and development, and basic laser science and safety met in Chicago to discuss the organization of the American Board of Laser Surgery. There followed a series of meetings leading to the development of leading-edge study materials and certifying examinations. By-Laws were adopted, Officers and a Board of Directors were elected and committees were formed. The Board was incorporated as a non-profit organization in June, 1984.

Additional practitioners who had made significant contributions to the basic science and clinical applications of lasers were subsequently invited to become Members of the Board. The Board administered its first certifying examination at Tulane University in New Orleans in 1985. Currently the Board has credentialed over 500 Diplomates around the world. The Board's Certificate is regarded as a valuable credential in relation to patients, insurers, credentialing committees, health-care institutions, and colleagues.

• About Our Certification: Beneficial to Have and Convenient to Earn
• Video Introduction from Dr. Ed Zimmerman, President
• Assess Your Knowledge with Our 10-Question Trial Examination
• The ABLS Refer-A-Candidate Initiative
• Join the ABLS List Serve – a Unique Knowledge Share Network
• Submit an Application to the Board
• Email the Board
• Profiles of Officers and Directors
• Glossary of Laser Related Terminology

---

Our Certification: Beneficial to Have and Convenient to Earn

Earning the Certificate from the American Board of Laser Surgery provides a valuable learning experience, as well as an additional certification that promotes efficacy, patient safety and enhances the ability to attract new patients. The ABLS is currently the only medical specialty board worldwide devoted to the use of lasers in surgery and medicine. The Board recognizes that today's competitive market and economy provides challenges for many laser practitioners. We are pleased to introduce a new pay-as-you-go option for both study and examination. Candidates may either take the written examination in one sitting OR choose to proceed through the certification process via a series of "bite-size" steps that accommodates busy schedules, and provides for fees that are spread out as each step is undertaken. This reduces the larger up-front fees that many boards otherwise require. Our application fee is also quite reasonable. Please see our Certification page for details.

---

Please see a short video about the ABLS Board featuring Dr. Ed Zimmerman, President.

---

Please Take Our Short Trial Examination and Assess Your Knowledge

The Board has developed a short, 10-question trial examination to help you assess your current level of knowledge. The questions are drawn from our actual examinations. Test your understanding of key aspects of laser tissue interaction, biophysics, safety, and cosmetic applications (the latter for those in that discipline). Please click the link below to take the trial examination and then email us at lasers1060@aol.com. We will score your trial examination and email you the results. 85% or better demonstrates solid knowledge. The examination will take just several minutes.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XGLDRGS

---

The ABLS Refer-a-Candidate Initiative

The Board also launched its Refer-a-Candidate Initiative. It is open to Diplomates, our current candidates, List Serve Members and other practitioners. You will receive a $100 honorarium and a Certificate of Appreciation for referring a candidate who applies and is accepted for the certification process. Please learn more about our Initiative here. (PDF)

---

Join The ABLS Email List Serve!

We invite you to take a unique opportunity to connect with other laser practitioners, and exchange information on the latest equipment and techniques, and other topics of value to your practice. Our List Serve is open at no charge to Diplomates and non-diplomates alike. Plus List Members have a unique opportunity to contribute to our Study Materials in exchange for authorship recognition! Please visit our List Serve page for more information and see who are current List Serve Members are.

Click here to send us an inquiry or submit an Application.

---

Email the Board: lasers1060@aol.com

---

Click here for Profiles of our Officers and Committee Directors.
(En Español)

---

Glossary of Laser Related Terminology

Dr. Saleh Jany, and ABLS Diplomate, has kindly provided a comprehensive Glossary of Laser Related Terminology to share with Diplomates and other visitors to the Board's website. The Board appreciates very much Dr. Jany's contribution. Please peruse the Glossary and share it with other laser practitioners (it is in PDF format).
 

Founding Members
Aronoff, Billie L., MD Cayton, Mary M., RN Cerullo, Leonard, MD Choy, Daniel S.J., MD David, Lawrence M., MD Dwyer, Richard M., MD Fisher, John C., ScD Friedman, Eugene, MD Jako, Geza, MD L'Esperance, Francis A., MD	LeJeune, Francis E., MD Lobraico, Rocco, MD McLaughlin, David S., MD Mirhoseini, Mahmood, MD Sacknoff, Eric J., MD Shapshay, Stanley M., MD Stellar, Stanley, MD Whipple, Terry L., MD Wright, V. Cecil, MD
Officers Edward M. Zimmerman, MD President and Acting Treasurer Dianne Quibell, MD Vice President Marilyn L. Zimmerman, CLT Secretary Warren B. Seiler III, MD Executive Director	Directors of Education and Membership Pranav Pancholi, MD, Africa Jin Wang Kim, MD, PhD, Asia Herbert M. Wagner, MD, South America John Flynn, MD, MBBS, Australia Philippe C. Cadic, MD, Europe Hanan A. Alokaily, MD, Middle East