The  Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is responsible for the Accreditation of post-MD medical training programs within the United States. Accreditation is achieved through a peer-review process and is based on established standards and guidelines.

American Board of Surgery (ABS) is the national certifying organization responsible for establishing standards in surgical education, training, and certification in the United States. The ABS works to ensure that surgeons possess the knowledge, judgment, and technical skills necessary to provide safe, high-quality patient care. Board certification by the ABS is widely recognized as a mark of professional excellence and commitment to lifelong learning. The ABSITE (American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination) is an annual examination administered to general surgery residents. It assesses medical knowledge and clinical decision-making across the breadth of general surgery and related disciplines. Residency programs use ABSITE performance to monitor resident progress, identify areas for improvement, and prepare residents for board certification examinations. 

The Qualifying Examination (QE) is the first step toward board certification in General Surgery following completion of an accredited residency program. The QE is a comprehensive written examination that evaluates a candidate's knowledge of surgical principles, disease processes, patient management, and clinical decision-making. Successful completion of the QE is required before advancing to the Certifying Examination. The Certifying Examination (CE) is the final step in achieving board certification in General Surgery. This oral examination evaluates a surgeon's clinical judgment, decision-making, professionalism, and ability to manage complex surgical scenarios. Candidates are presented with patient cases and must demonstrate sound surgical reasoning and evidence-based management strategies. Successful completion of both the QE and CE results in certification by the American Board of Surgery.

Additional ABS Certifications: In addition to certification in General Surgery, the ABS administers subspecialty certification programs in several disciplines, including Surgical Critical Care, Pediatric Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Complex General Surgical Oncology, Hand Surgery (with partner boards), and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 

ABS SCORE provides the most comprehensive collection of curriculum tools available today for surgical residents, including a weekly curriculum used in core didactics.

American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational association of surgeons dedicated to improving the care of surgical patients and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.  Residents are strongly encouraged to join the Resident and Associate Society of the ACS (RAS-ACS)

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) is the leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the care of injured surgical patients through education, research, advocacy, and professional development. For surgical residents, AAST membership provides access to educational resources, research opportunities, career mentorship, and a national network of leaders in trauma and acute care surgery. Residents can participate in scientific meetings, present research, compete for scholarships and awards, access online educational content, and engage with committees focused on education, advocacy, and quality improvement. Membership also provides exposure to fellowship programs and future career opportunities while fostering professional development throughout residency and beyond. Residents are strongly encouraged to become Associate Members of the AAST. 

The Florida Board of Medicine regulates persons who offer medical services to the public to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare and to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct.

In Florida, residents must have a Florida physician-in-training registration (training license) or a full Florida medical license before they can participate in patient care. They cannot begin clinical duties without one of these credentials. 

For new General Surgery residents, the typical timeline is:

The Maguire Medical Library supports the curriculum and research objectives of the College of Medicine and FSU through our extensive resource collection and a library team with expertise to meet the needs of clinical medicine and health sciences.

The medical library empowers clients to discover new information, advance knowledge, and strengthen research at FSU with an emphasis on elder, rural, minority, underprivileged, and underserved populations. 

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a private, not-for-profit corporation established in 1952 to provide a uniform date of appointment to positions in graduate medical education (GME) in the United States.

Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) offers comprehensive resources for surgeons, residents, and patients, with a focus on minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery. It provides extensive educational tools, clinical guidelines, patient information, and professional development resources, including information on the FLS (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery), FES (Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery), FRS (Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery), and FUSE (Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy) courses. Residents are strongly encouraged to apply for Candidate Membership in SAGES. 

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills important in health and disease that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Each of the three Steps of the USMLE complements the others; no Step can stand alone in the assessment of readiness for medical licensure. Residents typically take USMLE Step 3 during their intern year (PGY-1) or early in their second year. FSU and the Florida State Medical Board mandate that it be passed before the start of PGY-3 or to obtain a full, unrestricted medical license.