01/22/2026
A "board-certified" Cosmetic Surgeon is NOT the same as a board-certified Plastic Surgeon.
Two surgeons may both use the term “board-certified,” but those certifications can come from very different boards with very different training standards.
What actually matters is whether the board is recognized by the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) - the organization that sets rigorous, standardized requirements for physician training.
ABMS-recognized boards in plastic & facial surgery include:
ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery)
✔ ABMS-recognized
✔ Trained in face and body surgery
ABFPRS (American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery)
✔ Surgeons are already ABMS-certified (Otolaryngology or Plastic Surgery)
✔ Advanced training focused exclusively on the face, head & neck
Non-ABMS cosmetic surgery boards
⚠ Not overseen by ABMS
⚠ Any physician can use the term “cosmetic surgeon”
⚠ Certification follows a different (often shorter) training pathway
⚠ Do not require completion of an accredited plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery residency
The takeaway:
✔ For full-body procedures → choose ABPS-certified
✔ For facial & neck expertise → choose ABPS or ABFPRS
⚠️ Don’t rely on titles alone. Verify the board behind them.
For a detailed breakdown on how to find an ABMS board-certified plastic surgeon, read our full blog post (link in bio).
https://www.myfacialplasticsurgeon.com/what-does-board-certified-plastic-surgeon-actually-mean
