A history of the American board of anesthesiology certifying examinations

Abstract

The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) incorporated as a sub-board of the American Board of Surgery, held its first written examination in 1938, and certified 9 diplomates by examination in 1939. In 1941, the ABA became a primary board. Its first written essay-style examination tested anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, physics and chemistry, and physiology. The unstructured oral examination aimed to test a candidate's clinical proficiency. A practical examination, held at the candidate's hospital, was used for 15 years'until growth in the candidate pool made it impractical. As a substitute, in 1975, the ABA required that a faculty clinical competence committee prepare an annual Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) for each resident in training.