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Certification

The certification process of the American Board of Laser Surgery consists of three steps:

1. Application submission and acceptance
2. Written Basic Science and Safety Examinations
3. Oral Specialty Examination

The Board provides a Study Guide containing the information required to pass the Written Examinations, which may be taken with the Study Guide on an open-book basis. The minimum passing score is 80% of the possible points earned with correct answers in both basic science and safety. The Study Guide is provided to all applicants whose applications are accepted, and may be kept for future reference. Candidates may take as long as they wish to review the Study Guide to prepare for the Written Examinations. Once you feel fully prepared, you will then contact us by email, and at your request we will either send you the Written Examinations by email (as pdf files) to take using an online answer key, or you may print these out and complete them by hand, and mail them back to us; or we can send you the exams via Priority Mail in a printed booklet, whichever you prefer. You will have full five business days to complete the Written Examinations, following the day of receipt. Candidates who elect to take the Written Examinations by mail are responsible for paying the return postage.

As of December 8, 2008 the steps and fees for the certification process are as follows, with the total cost similar to many medical specialty boards offering certifications. Unlike most boards, the Board’s fee structure is phased according to each step in the process in order to enhance convenience and affordability:

• The application fee is $150. If an applicant is not accepted based upon his/her credentials, the application fee is refunded with the exception for a $50 review and processing charge.
• The fee for the Board’s Proprietary Study Guide and the Written Basic Science and Safety Examination is either $500 in one payment, or $600 in four installments of $150 each, depending on the payment method selected (see next bullet). This fee is due within 30 days following acceptance of the application and prior to provision of the study materials. The fee covers provision of the proprietary Study Guide, the Written Examination, delivery to the applicant if printed exams are used, grading of the examination, and formal notification of examination results on ABLS letterhead. If a candidate fails either the Basic Science or Safety Written Examination on the first attempt, the examination may be retaken without prejudice any number of times until it is passed. If the full examination is retaken, the retake fee is $150 when taken within 6 months of the date the candidate is informed of the failing grade. If taken after 6 months, the fee is $300.
• There are two options for payment of, and completing, the Study Guide and Written Examinations phase of the certification process:
  1. The candidate may assimilate the Study Guide in four separate parts, each part followed by a shorter written examination that is taken using an online answer form. The candidate pays a $150 fee for each part prior to receiving that part’s study materials, with the total fee being $600 for all four parts. Payment may be made online or by check, however online is more convenient for this option. All four shorter examinations must be taken within one year from the date the first part of the Guide is received, however candidates are encouraged to complete these as soon as their schedule allows. Candidates have three full business days to complete each of the four shorter examinations, following receipt of each examination.
  2. The candidate can elect to receive the entire Study Guide at once for $500 (a fee discount of $100), and when ready, take the entire Written Examination at one time. Again, the full examination must be taken within one year from the date the Study Guide is received, however candidates are again encouraged to complete this phase of the certification as soon as their schedule allows. Candidates have five full business days to complete the full examination, following receipt of the examination.
• The fee for the Oral Specialty Examination is $750. This fee is not due until the applicant has earned a passing score on the Written Examinations. There is also no time limit to sit for the Oral Examination after the Written Examinations are passed, again to phase the process to suit the candidate’s schedule. This fee also includes provision of the Certificate to the successful candidate. (Please note extra or replacement certificates cost $30 each). The Oral Examination is designed to explore and evaluate the candidate's clinical experience. It does not revisit the topics covered in the Written Examinations. There is nothing to formally study for. The candidate will be asked to submit some additional information prior to the Oral Examination, including but not limited to details of other certifications, previous education in laser use, and a sample procedure log. The Oral Examination may be taken either in person or remotely using our web conferencing service, depending on the candidates location, schedule and needs.

There are two options for the payment of fees: either online by credit card or PayPal account through secure PayPal, or by check mailed to our Administrative Office. Please go to the Contact, Application & Payment page for details.