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Qualified
Skilled & Ethical

Certifications & Requirements

What is Certification?

Applicants may apply for the following areas of certification:

  • Body, Breast and Extremity Cosmetic Surgery
  • Dermatologic Cosmetic Surgery
  • Facial Cosmetic Surgery
  • General Cosmetic Surgery

All Candidates Must Meet the Following Criteria:

  • Applicant must complete a current application furnished online or 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 an outpatient facility, the facility must be currently accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), 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: a. the chairperson of his/her residency program or verification, or from the department chief of his/her current hospital facility or verification; b. his/her cosmetic surgery fellowship director, if applicable, or verification of completion of fellowship; c. a diplomate of the ABCS; and d. any other practicing physician.
  • 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 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 300 Category 1 CME credits in cosmetic surgery. These may be earned in one of the following ways: i. Completion of a cosmetic surgery fellowship in the areas sought in a program approved by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery satisfies this requirement if completed within three (3) years prior to date of application. ii. In the event an Applicant applies for the examination more than three (3) years but within six (6) years of completing his/her approved fellowship training, the
  • Applicant shall have received credit for 150 CME credits in Cosmetic Surgery (Category 1) and must average 50 CME Category 1 credits in Cosmetic Surgery per year for each year following completion of his/her fellowship to the date of application; and iii. In the event an Applicant applies for the examination more than six (6) years after completing their approved fellowship training, the Applicant must average 50 CME Category 1 credits in Cosmetic Surgery per year for the six (6) years preceding his/her date of application. (Section amended per Board of Trustees meeting dated August 14, 2008).
  • Applicant shall provide a Physician Profile, ordered by the applicant from the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS). Please note, it may take as long as 30 days to receive this form from the AMA or the AOA. Applicant shall submit two (2) current passport type photographs.
  • Applicant shall successfully complete a written examination covering general knowledge of cosmetic surgical procedures. The ABCS shall accept applications for the written component of the Annual Examination from: i. Applicants who meet the current requirements; and ii. American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) fellows who have successfully completed an approved AACS Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program. (Section 7.03 (2)(B)).
  • Applicant must successfully complete an oral examination in the area of cosmetic surgery certification sought. The written and oral components must be successfully completed within three years of each other. (Section amended per Board of Trustees meeting dated August 14, 2008).
  • Applicant Must Furnish Proof of Prior Certification By: one of the following boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (BOS), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC): Dermatology General Surgery Obstetrics and Gynecology Ophthalmology with completion of an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS) approved Oculoplastic fellowship Otolaryngology Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery --OR-- The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree. (The above boards collectively referred to hereinafter as the "approved boards") (Section amended per Board of Trustees meeting dated August 14, 2008)