EBSQ Examinations
Brest Surgery Curriculum

Metabolic-Bariatric-Surgery EBSQ Examinations

Next EBSQ Examination

Examination datePlaceApplication deadline
14th of May 2025Venice, Italy20th of March 2025

All candidates – including new candidates and those who postponed or failed previously – must apply through the QuizOne platform, accessible through the buttons below
We do not accept any document as support to applications by any means other than uploaded on the dedicated web-platform. Documents received by any other means will not be considered as part of an application.

Please note that once the deadline date to apply is passed, no application will be acceptable by any means.

Before clicking the “Apply” button, please carefully read the EBSQ policies and Eligibility criteria and ensure that you are ready to submit all required documents.

Please also ensure that you pay the fees before the deadlines.

Places are limited. Do not wait until last minute to finalise your application as places will be offered on a first come, first served basis from date of application completion.

Candidates are responsible for their own application and its follow-up. Checking up regularly emails, and junk emails, is highly recommended – the UEMS Section of Surgery will not be responsible for any missed information sent via email.

You wish to apply to the EBSQ Examination in Metabolic-Bariatric-Surgery for the first time. You are a new candidate. Please click below:

Fellowship of the European Board of Surgery

The EBSQ examination in metabolic-bariatric surgery evaluates whether a candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to practice as a specialist in this field upon completing their training.

To obtain the FEBS title, candidates must complete a two-step assessment:

  1. Eligibility assessment (Part I) – Verification of qualifications and experience
  2. Examination (Part II) – Written and oral assessments

Earning the FEBS title signifies excellence and professional competence. It reflects the European effort to standardize, harmonize, and ensure quality in surgical education.

Legal Recognition

Currently, the FEBS title does not provide automatic legal recognition for independent practice within the EU or other countries. However, national authorities may individually recognize it, and more countries are integrating the Board examination into their accreditation systems.

Examination organisation and rules

Eligibility requirements

To apply, candidates must meet the criteria outlined in the Syllabus, which details the required knowledge and skills. Candidates must also submit the following documents:

  • Certification from two trainers (signed in the application form)
  • Competence Logbook (signed and stamped by a supervisor)
  • Updated CV with a list of publications
  • Two recommendation letters from IFSO-member senior surgeons
  • Signed commitment to abide by assessment regulations
  • Primary medical qualification certificate
  • Medical registration certificate or work contract
  • Proof of CME credits (e.g., courses, workshops)
  • Copy of ID or passport (with photo and name in Latin letters)
  • Proof of active IFSO membership
  • Attendance at one IFSO World and/or IFSO Chapter meeting in the last 5 years
  • Proof of completed specialty training in General/Visceral Surgery (Board Exam or equivalent)
  • Proof of authorship in at least three bariatric/metabolic surgery publications within the last five years
  • Commitment to register for the IFSO Europe Congress (which hosts the UEMS exam) if the application is accepted.

Eligibility assessment

Eligibility of an application will only be reviewed by the board once all required documents are provided and the Eligibility fee has been paid. Once these conditions are met, applications are treated by “first-come, first-served” principle. Incomplete applications or unpaid fees will result in delay of evaluation of your application.
Please read the instructions carefully and submit all required documents to support your application.

Application documents

Application to the EBSQ Examination in Metabolic-Bariatric-Surgery is composed of the following documents.

Please read the instructions carefully and submit all required documents to support your application.

Please do not submit your hospital e-logbooks, but submit the EBSQ logbook for according to the downloadable template below, signed by your supervisor/professor/department head/hospital head, whichever applies to you.

Application documents checklist

Candidates must attach the following documents to their online registration on the UEMS Surgery platform:

  • Declaration of 2 trainers signed (within the Application Form)
  • EBSQ Metabolic Bariatric Evidence of Competence Logbook, signed and stamped by supervisor(s)
  • Completed updated CV with publication list
  • 2 recommendation letters
  • Commitment to abide by assessment regulations signed
  • Primary Medical Qualification certificate
  • Medical registration certificate / Work contract
  • A consolidated documents for the Credit points with the evidences (CME, courses, etc)
  •  A scan of your ID card or passport with your photo and your name in Latin letters
  • Proof of active IFSO membership
  • Proof-of-attendance  at 1 IFSO World and/or IFSO Chapter meeting in the last 5 years
  • Proof of completed speciality training in General/Visceral Surgery (Board Exam or equivalent)
  • Proof of authorship in at least 3 bariatric metabolic publications in the last 5 years

Documents to be downloaded

Examination fees

  1. €250 – Eligibility Assessment
  2. €750 – Onsite Examination (includes a written MCQ test, clinical case discussion, and scientific paper discussion)

The total fee for the EBSQ examination in Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery is €1,000:

Payment details

  • All payments must be made via PayPal through the QuizOne platform before the registration deadline.
  • The eligibility fee (€250) must be paid when applying for the exam.
  • The examination fee (€750) must be paid within two weeks of eligibility confirmation to finalize registration.
  • All fees are non-refundable.

Rescheduling & Retakes

  • Candidates deemed eligible may postpone their exam for up to 24 months without retaking the eligibility assessment. After 24 months, a new eligibility assessment is required.
  • If a candidate fails the written exam, they can retake it in a future session (resit fee: €300).
  • If a candidate fails the oral exam, they can retake it (resit fee: €400).

Cancellation Policy & Refund Policy

If cancelled or postponed more than 30 days before the exam:

  • Fees can be transferred to the next exam session.
  • A €90 administrative fee applies when reapplying.

If cancelled or postponed less than 30 days before the exam:

  • Fees are not transferable or refundable.
  • The candidate must pay the full exam fee again plus a €90 administration fee.

Exceptional cases within 30 days before the exam will be reviewed individually, and supporting documentation is required.

All fees paid are non-refundable.

Re-issue of certificates

Fellows are responsible for their Certificates.

If there is an error on your certificate, you must contact the office within 3 months of receiving the certificate to have the certificate reissued.

If you lost your certificate:

If you are a Fellow who already passed the EBSQ examination , and you wish your certificate re-issued, you need to provide a copy of your ID card or Passport (for EU citizens) or Passport (Citizens from outside EU). You also need to provide a valid reason for needing a re-issue of your Certificate.

Please note :

-after internal revision further documentation could be requested
-the certificate will be sent with DHL post delivery service.
-the price to request a copy is 300 euros, and includes DHL costs

Exam Results & Retake Policy

  • Candidates will receive their results via email within two weeks after the exam.
  • If a candidate fails the written exam, they can retake it (resit fee: €300).
  • If a candidate fails twice, they must wait two years before reapplying. They must submit updated training documentation and pay the full exam fee (€1,000) again.

The requirements to pass the FEBS examination are defined as follows:

A minimum of 50% must be achieved in each part of the examination (MCQ (50 points), case discussions (75 points) and scientific paper discussion (25 points).

Candidates can maximally achieve 100 (MCQ) + 150 (case discussions) + 50 (scientific paper discussion) = 300 points.

in order to pass, candidates need to achieve in total 75% of max. achievable points = 225 points.

Suggested readings

Candidates preparing for the EBSQ examination are encouraged to study the following resources:

  1. All IFSO guidelines published in the last five years.
  2. ‘The ASMBS Textbook of Bariatric Surgery’ – NT Nguyen et al.
  3. ‘Obesity, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery’ – S. Agrawal et al.

Conclusion

The UEMS Division of Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery plays a key role in setting high standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery through structured education, accreditation, and examinations. The FEBS title is a recognized indicator of professional competence, supporting the ongoing European efforts in medical standardization. While it does not grant automatic legal recognition, its acceptance is increasing among national medical authorities.

For more details, visit the official UEMS website or download the exam syllabus.