American Board of Plastic Surgery Requirements

The requirements for the American Board of Plastic Surgery are as follows.

The surgeon must:

• Graduate from an accredited medical school
• Hold a license to practice medicine in the state where residing
• Complete a minimum of three years of training in general surgery in an ACGME-accredited residency program (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)
• Complete a minimum of two years of training in plastic surgery in an ACGME-accredited residency program
• Continue in practice for a minimum of six months, during which time all operative reports and preoperative and postoperative photographs are submitted and accepted by a panel of board-certified plastic surgeons
• Successfully pass a comprehensive written and oral examination

Of the medical specialties that perform plastic surgery, board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires the most surgical training: a minimum of five years. This Board was established in 1937. More information about the American Board of Plastic Surgery can be found from the following contact information:

The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Seven Penn Center, Suite 400
1635 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2204
215-587-9322

Related Topics

• How Do I Choose a Plastic Surgeon?
• American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
• American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO)
• Office Based Surgery Centers
• Other Board Certifications and Specialties
• "Part-Time" Plastic Surgeons
• Understanding Designations: MD, DO, FACS, Medical Training
• Find a Plastic Surgeon

[page updated June 2008]