Many “cosmetic surgeons” say that they are board certified, but only the American Board of Plastic Surgery has traditionally overseen the training of plastic surgeons. We strongly recommend that you take the time to identify which boards have certified your surgeon, and that you consider the amount of specialized training and experience your surgeon has performing your type of procedure.
All members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are certified by the ABPS or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The ABPS is the only one of the 24 boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. The American Board of Medical Specialties was created to protect patients by regulating the quality of medical education. While the intent of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is not to designate eligibility of who may perform plastic surgery procedures, it does resolve to initiate the qualifying requirements for applicants requesting certification, regulate comprehensive examinations and present certification to those who meet the establish requirements.
