Doctor Selection · Plastic Surgeon
Is My Surgeon Board Certified?
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Haute MD Editorial Team
You can verify whether a plastic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) — the only ABMS-recognized board for plastic surgery — in under 60 seconds at certificationmatters.org. Enter the surgeon's name, select "Plastic Surgery," and the results will show whether they are currently certified, when they were first certified, and whether their certification is current. This is the single most important credential check before any surgical procedure.
Why ABPS certification matters
ABPS-certified surgeons have completed an accredited plastic surgery residency of 5-7 years after medical school, passed rigorous written and oral examinations, documented their surgical outcomes, and committed to ongoing maintenance of certification through continuing education. Non-certified physicians may not have equivalent training.
How to verify in three steps
Step 1: Go to certificationmatters.org — the official ABMS verification database. Step 2: Search by the surgeon's first and last name. Step 3: Select "Plastic Surgery" as the specialty. Results are immediate and authoritative.
What board eligibility means
"Board eligible" means the surgeon has completed their residency and is qualified to sit for certification examinations but has not yet passed them. Board eligible is not equivalent to board certified. Always ask directly: "Are you currently board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any doctor call themselves a plastic surgeon?
Yes — "plastic surgeon" and "cosmetic surgeon" are not legally protected terms in most states. Any licensed physician can use these titles regardless of their specialty training. This is why verifying ABPS board certification directly is essential before surgery.
What is the difference between ABPS and ABCS?
ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) is the only ABMS-recognized board for plastic surgery, requiring a full plastic surgery residency. ABCS (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery) is not ABMS-recognized and has less rigorous training requirements. Always look for ABPS certification.
What if my surgeon is a facial plastic surgeon?
Facial plastic surgeons may be certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), whose members hold either ABPS or American Board of Otolaryngology certification. Both are rigorous and legitimate credentials for facial procedures.
Is board certification the only credential I should check?
Board certification is the most important baseline credential, but also verify hospital privileges at an accredited facility, fellowship training in your specific procedure area, and review a portfolio of before-and-after results from the surgeon's own patients.
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