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About the A.B.L.S.

The A.B.L.S. is unusual among specialty boards, in that lasers are utilized in all medical and surgical specialties. It has been said by some that no other board is founded on a device (i.e., the laser). That is not so, because the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine are both founded on devices: the CT scanner and the gamma camera and its tomographic variants.

Actually "the laser" is a misnomer, because there are many different types of lasers used clinically, differing in wavelength, temporal mode of operation, power output, and method of beam delivery. Only lasers are capable of cutting, coagulating, ablating, and welding living tissue by one or more of these distinct biophysical phenomena: photochemolysis, photopyrolysis, and photoplasmolysis. These are complex processes, totally unlike the effects of scalpels, saws, drills, and electrosurgery.

In the early years of the Board, most of the candidates were from the traditional specialities using lasers: otolaryngology, head-and-neck surgery, ophthalmology, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, etc. In recent years, the majority of candidates have been those who have transitioned from their original specialties into dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and similar activities in order to escape the challenges of dealing with third-party payers and HMOs. Such specialty jumping has often occurred without adequate training in the cosmetic field, and numerous iatrogenic injuries to patients have resulted. Diplomates of the A.B.L.S., however, have seldom been targets of litigation, because of the education necessary to receive certification from the Board.

In the first decade of the Board's existence, most Diplomates came from the United States and Canada. In recent years, however, many have come from the international arena.

Diplomates of the Board are also members of other medical societies and organizations such as the ASLMS, AACS, ASPS, ASDS, among others. Only two medical societies or institutes currently offer any laser fundamentals course related to medicine. Furthermore, no other organization offers board credentialing in laser science and safety in medicine and surgery at this time. The A.B.L.S. is the sole medical specialty Board that offers the rigorous study, written and oral examinations necessary for full Board certification — and has lead the industry in doing so for nearly 25 years. The Board highly recommends its full certification for all laser practitioners. In addition, other related courses and/or CME are also viewed as beneficial to supplement the Board's certification process. In fact, those who take other courses in areas related to basic laser science and safety will find earning the Board's certificate a more expeditious process.

The A.B.L.S. offers certifying examinations to Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Osteopathy, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Doctors of Dental Medicine, Doctors of Dental Surgery, Doctors of Podiatry, Registered Nurses, and Doctors of Science or Philosophy in disciplines related to the health sciences.

The A.B.L.S. is a non-profit organization.