Why Board Certification Matters in Plastic Surgery
How to confidently choose the safest, most qualified surgeon for your aesthetic procedure.
When you hire a professional—whether it’s an attorney, dentist, electrician, or medical specialist—you trust that they’ve completed the education and training required to do the job safely and correctly. Plastic surgery should be no different. Yet in today’s world, many physicians who are not formally trained in plastic surgery are offering cosmetic procedures.
This is why board certification in plastic surgery is essential. It protects patients, ensures high standards of care, and helps you make confident, informed decisions about your aesthetic journey.
The Problem: Not All “Board Certifications” Are Equal
Cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular—and with that popularity has come confusion. Many physicians advertise themselves as “board-certified,” but in what, exactly?
For example:
- An OB/GYN may be board-certified in obstetrics. But would you trust them to perform your facelift?
- An ophthalmologist is trained to operate on the eye. But should they place your breast implants?
- A neurosurgeon is board-certified in brain surgery. But would that qualify them to perform a tummy tuck?
These are real board certifications—just not in plastic surgery. And yet across the U.S., physicians from many unrelated specialties perform cosmetic procedures without having completed an accredited plastic surgery residency.
To make matters more confusing, there are also “cosmetic surgery boards” that sound official but are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)—the gold-standard organization overseeing specialty certification.
This means any doctor with a medical license can legally perform any procedure, even without formal training in that specialty. And many patients don’t realize this.
What Board Certification in Plastic Surgery Actually Means
To be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)—the only plastic surgery certification recognized by the ABMS—a surgeon must complete one of the most rigorous training pathways in all of medicine.
Board certification through ABPS requires:
- Completion of an accredited plastic surgery residency
- Mastery of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breasts, and body
- Extensive training in burns, trauma, tumor reconstruction, wound care, and microsurgery
- Passing a comprehensive written examination
- Submitting operative cases that demonstrate depth and breadth of experience
- Completing a rigorous in-person oral examination by board-certified plastic surgeons
- Commitment to recertification every 10 years, continuing education, and strict ethical standards
Plastic surgery residency is one of the most competitive programs to match into—and for good reason. It demands years of immersive training under ABPS-certified faculty and cannot be replaced by a weekend course, online module, or short fellowship.
Being certified by ABPS is a prestigious achievement and a powerful indicator of surgical safety, skill, and experience.
Why Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Matters
The most important reason: patient safety.
Plastic surgery is real surgery. All procedures involve risks, anesthesia, and potential complications. While complications are uncommon, you want a surgeon who is highly trained to prevent problems—and to manage them if they occur.
Board-certified plastic surgeons:
- Operate in accredited surgical facilities
- Maintain hospital privileges to perform the same procedures they offer in-office
- Follow strict ethical and safety standards
- Complete ongoing training to stay at the forefront of innovation
- Are trained to manage complications confidently and safely
Hospitals and accredited surgery centers have strict vetting processes. If a surgeon does not have hospital privileges for plastic surgery, that’s a red flag.
How to Verify if a Surgeon Is Truly Board-Certified
Doing your own research is an important part of choosing the right plastic surgeon.
Here are trusted resources:
1. The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Search for certified surgeons:
abplasticsurgery.org → “Public” → “Is Your Surgeon Certified?”
2. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Use the “Find a Surgeon” tool:
plasticsurgery.org
ASPS membership requires:
- Graduation from an accredited medical school
- ABPS certification (or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada)
- Passing written and oral exams
- Accredited surgical facilities
- Ongoing continuing education
If a surgeon is an ASPS Member Surgeon, they have met the most rigorous standards in the field.
3. Accredited Operating Rooms
To confirm a surgeon’s office-based OR is accredited:
quada.org
Your Safety. Your Results. Your Confidence.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is ultimately about protecting yourself and ensuring you achieve the beautiful, safe, and natural-looking results you deserve.
Valid board certification isn’t just a title—it’s a long-term commitment to:
- Excellence in surgical training
- Ethical patient care
- Mastery of advanced techniques
- Ongoing education
- A deep responsibility to patient safety
At Des Moines Plastic Surgery™, our surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, operate in fully accredited surgical facilities, and are proud members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We believe patients deserve transparency, safety, and exceptional outcomes.
Empower Yourself. Choose the Highest Standard.
When researching your plastic surgeon, don’t hesitate to ask:
- Are you board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Do you have hospital privileges for the procedures you perform?
- Is your operating room accredited?
Your diligence could make all the difference.
When it comes to your health and your results, board certification matters. Choose a surgeon who has earned it.
