What Is Certification?

Applicants may apply for the following areas of certification in Cosmetic Surgery:

• General Cosmetic Surgery
• Facial Cosmetic Surgery
• Dermatologic Cosmetic Surgery

All candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Applicant must complete a current application furnished by the ABCS General Office (refer to application process and procedures).
• Applicant must affirmatively state and prove valid hospital operating room privileges in current good standing. If the applicant does not have current hospital operating room privileges and performs all surgical procedures in his/her office facility, the facility must be currently accredited by) JCAHO, AAAHC, AAASF, MEDICARE or a similar accrediting body approved by the state medical board having jurisdiction where the applicant performs surgery.
• Applicant shall submit four (4) letters of recommendation, including but not limited to letters from:
  1. the chairperson of his/her residency program or from the department chief of his/her current hospital facility;
  2. his/her cosmetic surgery fellowship director, if applicable;
  3. a diplomate of the ABCS; and
  4. any other practicing physician. Letters of recommendation from practice associates or from current or former members of the Board of Trustees of the ABCS are not acceptable.
• Applicant shall submit proof of a current valid and unrestricted medical license in good standing in the jurisdiction where the applicant practices. Applicant must submit an explanation of any current or past disciplinary action by any state medical board.
• Applicant shall submit current copy of his/her curriculum vitae, certified by applicant as being true and correct as of the date submitted.
• Applicant shall affirm under oath that he/she has no history of, nor are actions currently pending, regarding any felony, crimes, convictions, or substance abuse.
• Applicant shall furnish proof of valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification at the time of application (photocopy of valid card required).
• Applicant must submit proof of at least 150 CME credits in cosmetic surgery earned in the three (3) years prior to application. These credits must be in Category 1. Completion of a cosmetic surgery fellowship in the areas sought in d program approved by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery satisfies this requirement if completed within three (3) years prior to date of application.
• Applicant shall provide a Physician Profile, ordered by the applicant from the American Medical Association (AMA). (Please note, it may take as long as 30 days to receive this form from the AMA.)
• Applicant shall submit two (2) current passport type photographs.
• Applicant shall successfully complete a written examination covering general knowledge of cosmetic surgical procedures. Applicant must successfully complete an oral examination in the area of cosmetic surgery certification sought. The written and oral components must be successfully completed the same year or within one year of each other.

Applicant must furnish proof of prior board certification by:

a) one of the following boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (BOS), or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC):

1. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
2. Otolaryngology
3. General Surgery
4. Ophthalmology with completion of an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS) approved Oculoplastic fellowship
5. Dermatology

- - - or - - -

b) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree.