CME Deadline
You must complete and submit your exam by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central to receive CME credit. No CME credit will be awarded for an exam submitted after the deadline.
Upon Completion
Your previous Self-Assessment Exams are always available for review in the online testing portal. Revisit a past exam to view your answers and read the commentary. Reset the exam to retake it in learner mode and be shown the correct answer and discussion immediately after answering each question. You will have three attempts to pass the exam and claim CME credit before the deadline. Once you have submitted and passed your exam, you can reset it as many times as you like.
Once you complete and submit your exam, a PDF question and answer booklet will be available for you to download.
If you do not plan to submit your exam for CME credit, but would like a copy of the 2025 SAE question and answer booklets, please email info@assh.org. Once the testing period has ended on December 31, 2025, we are able to provide you a copy of these booklets.
We encourage you to take the evaluation upon submitting your exam, as your feedback helps the Self-Assessment Committee in the production of future exams.
Refund Policy and Cancellation Fee
All refunds must be requested in writing to the ASSH Central Office by fax 847-384-1435 or email at info@assh.org. A full refund less a $25 administrative fee will be given if the written notification is received by the Central Office on or before the date that the examination is open for testing. No refunds will be issued after testing begins.
Overview and Course Format
This examination is offered as a convenient self-study exercise by the ASSH. The exam is offered to hand and upper extremity care professionals as a comprehensive review tool of basic principles and can also be used by practicing clinicians to stay abreast of new developments and concepts within the specialty.
The examination covers diagnostic and therapeutic problems, both surgical and nonoperative, basic science knowledge, and fundamental principles of hand surgery. The interpretation of the illustrative material and videos is an integral part of this examination.
The 2025 examination consists of 200 questions, preferred responses, discussion and literature references, and an online evaluation.
Exam Sections
The exam is divided into seven sections:
1. Basic Science
2. Bone and Joint
3. Neuromuscular
4. Skin
5. Vascular
6. Ancillary
7. Miscellaneous
Minimum Passing Score and Participation Requirements
To qualify for CME credit, participants must complete the exam with a minimum passing score of 50% correct and complete an online evaluation no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on December 31, 2025. Participants will be allowed three attempts to pass the test. Only participants who meet the minimum passing score will receive CME credit for taking the examination. If you are a general surgeon, your minimum passing score to comply with ABS guidelines is 75%.
Estimated Time
The estimated time to complete this activity is 20 hours.
Termination Date
The test and online evaluation must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM Central Time on December 31, 2025, to qualify for CME credit.
Answer Booklet
A PDF of the questions and answers with discussion will be available in this examination portal immediately after you have passed the examination.
Credit Hours
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand designates this internet activity enduring material for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 6 of which are patient safety credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
*Please note that CME credit is granted only after correctly answering at least 50% of the questions and completing the online evaluation. You can read the full information on our CME policies on our website.
Confidentiality
The Self-Assessment Exam is the sole property of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and scores are confidential. Individual results will only be shared with the test-taker. Each participant is assigned a number, and no names are used in the scoring process to further ensure confidentiality.
Disclaimer
The material presented in this continuing medical education program is being made available by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to represent the only, or necessarily the best, methods or procedures appropriate for the medical situation discussed, but rather is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the authors or presenters, which may be helpful, or of interest, to other practitioners. The examinees agree to participate in this medical education program sponsored by ASSH with full knowledge and awareness that they waive any claim they may have against ASSH for reliance on any information presented in this examination. The approval of the US Food and Drug Administration is required for procedures and drugs that are considered experimental. Instrumentation systems discussed and/or demonstrated in or at ASSH educational programs may not yet have received FDA approval.
More Information
For more information about the Self-Assessment Exam, visit our website: https://www.assh.org/s/self-assessment-examination.