AMERICAN BOARD OF COSMETIC SURGERY



AMERICAN BOARD OF COSMETIC SURGERY

Certification Requirements

(Effective for exam year 2019)

The ABCS examination requires the applicant to be boarded by one of six accredited surgical boards listed below¹. In addition, successful completion of an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) or equivalent (in the sole and absolute discretion of the ABCS) Approved Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program is a mandatory component needed to qualify for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) written and oral certifying examination.

A candidate must meet the following requirements to qualify for the ABCS certifying examination:

1. Current ABMS, AOA, RCPSC or ABOMS recognized board certification by one of the following specialties:

(a) General Surgery

(b) Plastic Surgery[1]

(c) Otolaryngology

(d) Thoracic Surgery

(e) Obstetrics and Gynecology

(f) Urology

(g) Orthopedic Surgery

(h) Neurological Surgery

(i) Ophthalmology with completion of an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS) approved Oculoplastic fellowship or an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved Oculofacial Plastic fellowship

(j) American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree

(The above boards referred to individually as an “approved board” or collectively referred to hereinafter as the “approved boards”)

2. Successful completion of an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) or equivalent (as deemed by the ABCS) approved cosmetic surgery fellowship.

Fellows of an AACS approved Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program:

• Are eligible for the written portion of the ABCS examination during fellowship training provided they are board eligible or certified by one of the “approved boards”.

• Are eligible to apply for the oral portion of the ABCS examination immediately following receipt of written confirmation from the AACS of successful completion of their fellowship training provided: (i) they are pursuing board certification by one of the “approved boards” and; (ii) comply with the following items 3 through and including 13 below.

3. Duration of training requirements in an AACS or Approved Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program noted immediately below the AACS Fellowship requirements is as follows:

One Year Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship: Wherein the fellow must participate as primary surgeon or direct assistant in three hundred (300) or more cosmetic procedures including a minimum of: 50 cosmetic surgery procedures of the body or extremities; 50 cosmetic surgery procedures of the breast; 50 dermatologic cosmetic surgery procedures; and 50 facial cosmetic surgery procedures. In addition to the 300 or more cosmetic surgery procedures, fellows must receive adequate exposure, in depth and breadth, to common non-surgical procedures.

• American Board of General Surgery

• American Board of Plastic Surgery

• American Board of Otolaryngology

• American Board of Thoracic Surgery

• American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology

• American Board of Urology

• American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

• American Board of Neurological Surgery

• American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Two Year Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship: Wherein the fellow must participate as primary surgeon or direct assistant in six hundred (600) or more cosmetic procedures including a minimum of: 100 cosmetic surgery procedures of the body or extremities; 100 cosmetic surgery procedures of the breast; 100 dermatologic cosmetic surgery procedures; and 100 facial cosmetic surgery procedures. In addition to the 600 or more cosmetic surgery procedures, fellows must receive adequate exposure, in depth and breadth, to common non-surgical procedures.

• American Board of Ophthalmology with Oculoplastic Surgery Fellowship

4. Applicant must electronically submit a completed current year application furnished online by the ABCS.

5. Applicant must provide current and valid evidence of cosmetic surgery operating room privileges in good standing at a hospital or outpatient facility accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF) or MEDICARE or a similar accrediting body approved by the state medical board having jurisdiction where the applicant performs surgery.

6. Applicant will submit four (4) letters of recommendation, including but not limited to letters from: (a) the chairperson of his/her residency program, if available, or from the department chief of his/her current hospital facility; (b) his/her cosmetic surgery fellowship director; (c) a Diplomate of the ABCS; and (d) any other practicing physician who is familiar with the applicant’s surgical experience.

7. Applicant will submit proof of a current valid and unrestricted medical license in good standing in all jurisdictions where the applicant practices or maintains a medical/osteopathic license. Applicants must submit an explanation of any current or past disciplinary action by any state medical or osteopathic board.

8. Applicant will submit a current copy of his/her curriculum vitae, certified by applicant as true and correct as of the date submitted.

9. Applicant will affirm that he or she has no history of, nor are actions currently pending regarding any felony, crimes, convictions, or substance abuse.

10. Applicant will furnish proof of valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification at the time of application (photocopy of valid card required).

11. ABCS will obtain a Physician Profile from the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). In the case of an applicant being certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS), the ABCS will verify board certification directly with ABOMS.

12. Applicant will submit two (2) current passport type photographs.

13. Remit a $500.00 non-refundable application fee.

Applicant must remit examination fees as determined by the Board of Trustees and successfully pass both components (written examination and oral examination) to be certified by the ABCS. The written and oral components must be successfully completed within three (3) years of each other. Applicant must take the examination within two (2) years of application approval including application year. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of all examination fees and submittal of new application if a candidate decides to move forward after two years.

Process for Fellowship Equivalency Petition

PETITION APPLICATION

It is recommended that candidate meet all other qualifications required by ABCS prior to petition in order to avoid the time and expense only to subsequently determine the candidate is not able to take the examination.

Applicant must complete Checklist form supplied by the ABCS establishing:

• Guidelines and requirements of:

▪ Fellowship Program Application Process

▪ Fellowship Program

▪ Fellowship Program Director

▪ Fellow’s required case log, scope, journal review, research, etc.

• Recommendation letter from fellowship program director

• Fellowship certificate attesting successful completion

• Address and phone number of Fellowship Program Sponsoring entity

• Address and phone number of Fellowship Program

• Fellowship surgical logs with standards and format required by ABCS

• $500.00 non-refundable application fee. Applicant must challenge the examination within two (2) years of application approval including application year. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of all examination fees.

Upon review by the ABCS Fellowship & Board Review Committee and affirmative majority vote of approval of the Board of Trustees, candidates that meet the foregoing criteria will receive written notification of equivalency of training to that of an AACS approved Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program and will then be eligible to pursue ABCS certification. Potential candidates that are denied equivalency of training by the Board of Trustees at its sole and absolute discretion will receive written notification.

APPLYING WITH PETITION APPROVAL

• Complete standard ABCS application

• Submit operative reports detailing a minimum of thirty (30) cosmetic surgery procedures (approved by ABCS) as primary surgeon per year for each year or partial year following completion of the fellowship program. The post-fellowship operative reports log must meet the standards set forth in the ABCS Candidate Application Booklet, section 4.

Credentialing Committee

(1) A Credentialing Committee, established by the President of the Board, shall review all applications and recommend approval of qualified candidates who satisfy the foregoing certification requirements for examination. The entire Credentialing Committee will review any application a committee member determines does not meet the board’s stated requirements of professional standards. The Credentialing Committee will submit their recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees, at its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to approve applications or reject inadequate applications.

(2) Upon the act of the Board of Trustees, in its sole and absolute discretion, a successful applicant who meets all credential requirements and successfully passes the oral and written components of the examination shall be granted membership status and issued a certificate of membership. The certificate shall at all times remain the property of the ABCS and neither the certificate nor the ABCS membership shall be considered a property right of the member. The certificate and ABCS membership shall be valid until membership is revoked or otherwise terminated in accordance with these by-laws, provided, however, under no circumstances shall the term of the certificate or ABCS membership exceed ten (10) years. In the event that membership status is revoked or is not renewed, the certificate shall be returned to the ABCS by the holder. If a certificate is not returned promptly after termination of membership, the ABCS may initiate legal action to recover the certificate. The former member shall be obligated to reimburse the ABCS for all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the ABCS in connection with such action.

(3) The Board of Trustees shall have the power to deny membership or to revoke a member’s membership in its sole and absolute discretion. The decision of the Board of Trustees shall be final.

(4) Certificates of membership are not transferable or assignable.

(5) The Board of Trustees shall establish initial and annual membership fees and application fees. For those Diplomates certified in 1990 and thereafter, the annual membership fees (sustaining fees) shall be mandatory. Those Diplomates who have not paid the mandatory sustaining dues within forty-five (45) days of the date they were billed shall be assessed a late fine of fifty dollars ($50.00). Those Diplomates who fail to pay their mandatory sustaining fees within 30 days of late fee assessment shall have their names submitted to the Board of Trustees for sanctions, including, but not limited to, "status of Diplomate not in good standing for failure to pay mandatory dues" or "revocation of Diplomate status for failure to pay mandatory dues" as the Trustees deem fit.

Recertification

The candidate successfully completing the Board Examination will be awarded a certificate which will be valid for ten (10) years. Diplomates of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery must be re-examined every ten (10) years to maintain certification. Diplomates may register and take the Recertification Examination no sooner than at the end of their 8th year of certification and must complete all Recertification Requirements prior to the expiration of their certificate. Diplomates who fail to complete all Recertification Requirements or who are unsuccessful in passing the Recertification Examination shall have unlimited attempts the following one year to successfully pass the examination. For a listing of frequently asked questions and responses regarding ABCS Recertification, please email your request to info@.

Application Process and Procedures

Completed application and non-refundable application fee shall be submitted to the Central Office by the application deadline. Applications that are incomplete by the deadline or received after the deadline of March 1, 2019 will be considered for the 2020 Examination. All applications and accompanying materials submitted to the ABCS become the property of the ABCS and will not be returned to the candidate in any form. To begin the application process, please contact the Central Office via email at info@. Office staff will then direct you to the online application portal.

Examination Fees and Information

Application Fee: $500.00

(non-refundable and payable upon submittal of application)

Oral Examination Fee: $1,175.00

(payable upon approval of application)

Written Examination Fee: $1,175.00

(payable upon approval of application)

Prometric Written Exam Fee: $100

(payable upon approval of application)

Certificate Fee: $350.00

(payable upon successful passing of exams)

Please visit the ABCS website payment portal at

application-fees/ to complete the payment process.

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[1] The policy that a primary ABMS or AOA Board Certification was necessary was amended to accept Candidates who have completed an ACGME approved Plastic Surgery Residency and also completed an AACS Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship or an ABPS Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowship that meets the minimum required cases in an equivalent cosmetic surgery fellowship set by the ABCS. (effective July 13, 2017)

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