American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS)

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery was organized as the American Board of Proctology in 1934 and incorporated on August 13, 1935. It was the sixth Board to be organized and the tenth to be incorporated. In 1934 representatives of the American Proctologic Society (now The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) sought approval of the American Board of Proctology from the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals and the Advisory Board for Medical Specialists (now the American Board of Medical Specialties.)

It is one of 24 medical specialty boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Through ABMS, the boards work together to establish common standards for physicians to achieve and maintain board certification. The boards were founded by their respective specialties to protect the public by assessing and certifying doctors who meet specific educational, training and professional requirements. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery is an independent, non-profit organization.