What is Certification?

Certification is a voluntary credential.

Certification by a specialty Board demonstrates:

• completion and approval of a prescribed set of education and training requirements in a specialty of medicine beyond the minimum requirements for medical licensure, and
• passage of examinations that test the fund of knowledge in that specialty.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery has issued over 9,000 certificates since 1937.

Since 1995, all certificates include a 10-year expiration date rather than a "lifetime" issuance which was valid indefinitely. Certification must be maintained and renewed every 10 years.  

Participation in Certification & the Continuous Certification program demonstrates a commitment to continuing education, assessment of knowledge, and practice improvement throughout the plastic surgeon's career.  

Surgeons who fulfill the requirements of the Board and who are granted certification by the Board are known as diplomates of The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc.