Training and Experience Requirements and Eligibility Via The Experience Route

The ABCS recognizes additional education and experience only in the area that is consistent with the candidate's initial approved board certification. If a candidate seeks certification in an area inconsistent with his/her initial approved board certification, he/she will not be able to pursue certification under the experience route. The only means by which a candidate can apply for certification in an area that is not consistent with his/her initial approved board certification is by obtaining additional training and applying by the fellowship route. The experience route will no longer be available as a means of applying for certification by the ABCS after 2010.

Certification via the experience route requires the following:

1. Satisfactory completion of specialty residency training for an approved board;
2. Initial certification by an approved board;

3. Applicant must furnish proof of at least 300 CME credits in cosmetic surgery in the six years prior to application. All credits must be in Category 1.
4. Applicant must document a minimum of six (6) years of practice experience in cosmetic surgery.
5. Applicant must submit typed case logs documenting at least 1,000 cosmetic procedures within the last six (6) years. All cases must have been performed after the candidate completed his/her residency and fellowship training.
6. Applicant must submit typed case logs documenting at least 200 cosmetic procedures performed in the year prior to application.
7. Applicant's case logs must illustrate a depth and breadth of cosmetic cases in the area of certification sought.
8. Applicant must submit typed operative reports, with clearly labeled publication quality before and after photographs securely attached to each operative report. Operative reports must illustrate a depth and breadth of cosmetic cases in the area of certification sought. Operative reports must meet the standards set forth in the Application Booklet furnished by the General Office. The number of operative reports with or without before photographs depends on the area of certification sought. Applicant must refer to the aforementioned Application Booklet for the required number of operative reports to be submitted.
9. Area of certification sought must be consistent with applicant's primary board certification received from one of the approved boards.