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Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) Requirements

Two CAQ Categories Available:

1. Facial Cosmetic Surgery                
2. Breast & Body Cosmetic Surgery
To be eligible for a CAQ in Cosmetic Surgery from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:
A. The applicant must be a Diplomate of the ABCS. 
B. The applicant must meet the criteria required for certification by the ABCS and be a Diplomate in good standing of the ABCS in Facial, Dermatologic, Body, Breast and Extremity or General Cosmetic Surgery. 
C. The applicant must hold a clear and unrestricted medical license (in conformance with the written policy of the ABCS) and perform their surgical procedures in an accredited facility (in conformance with the written policy of the ABCS. 
D. The applicant must submit a typed case log documenting at least 100 cosmetic surgical procedures within the category of their requested CAQ, and shall be of a sufficient mix to illustrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in the area of certification sought. These procedures must be within the previous consecutive 3 years of their application. 
E. The applicant must submit a minimum of 100 typed operative reports subject to the review of the ABCS Credentials Committee. Fifty (50) of the 100 operative reports submitted must contain publication quality pre and post operative photographs securely attached to the operative reports. The operative reports must illustrate a depth and breadth of cosmetic surgical procedures within the category of their requested CAQ. 
F. The applicant must have completed at least 4 AACS-sponsored (or deemed equivalent by the ABCS Credentials Committee) Surgical Workshops in their chosen CAQ category within the previous 3 years. 
G. The applicant must have completed a minimum of 100 Category 1 CME hours in Cosmetic Surgery within the preceding 3 years of their CAQ application. 
H. The applicant must pass a 100 question written examination, formulated by the ABCS Examination Committee, that covers the cosmetic surgical procedures within their chosen CAQ category. 
I. The applicant must pass an oral examination in their chosen CAQ category. 
J. CAQ certificates will be time-limited and require maintenance of the CAQ within 10 years and may be performed with Recertification of their ABCS certification.