All cosmetic and plastic surgeons are board certified?

Board certification is separate and distinct from licensing. In the United States, physicians are licensed by the state in which they practice, but they are certified by one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The member board that certifies plastic surgeons is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Some plastic surgeons are certified by more than one board; for example, plastic surgeons who specialize in the head and neck are often board certified in otolaryngology. Other subspecialties that are related to plastic surgery include dermatology and ophthamology.

The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery are also certifying bodies. Although they are not members of ABMS, they require ABMS certification of anyone seeking their certification.

Sometimes a surgeon will claim to be board certified, but doesn't specify which board. It could be a specialty totally unrelated to surgery, plastic or otherwise. Other surgeons claim to be "board eligible," which indicates they have not successfully completed a board's required written and oral exams. Be sure to inquire specifically about the professional credentials of any plastic surgeon you are considering, and ask to see the appropriate certificates for verification. Before meeting with a surgeon, you can check out whether he or she is certified by ABPS on the organization's website.

Apart from certification, membership in professional organizations like the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is considered an added plus when it comes to plastic surgeons.

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