The Qualifications of Board-certified Plastic SurgeonsFredric Newman, MD, FACS

Residency and Examination

A surgeon can only earn board certification in plastic surgery through the ABPS. Any licensed physician can call himself or herself a cosmetic surgeon, but the title of "plastic surgeon" indicates the completion of specialized surgical training. Meanwhile, "board-certified plastic surgeon" signifies that the doctor has:

• Graduated from an accredited medical school.
• Completed a five-year residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Each year of the residency involves full-time training with senior surgeons in every facet of surgery. At least three years of the residency are spent focused on cosmetic, reconstructive, craniomaxillofacial, and hand surgery. Surgeons often choose to undergo many more years of training focused on specific procedures and techniques.
• Passed an extensive written and oral examination administered by the ABPS.
• Passed an in-depth peer review coordinated by the ABPS.

Dr. Fredric Newman is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the ​National Board of Medical Examiners, and the American Board of Surgery.

What if a Surgeon Is Not Board-certified?

Persuing ABPS certification is voluntary. If a surgeon is not certified by the ABPS, it could mean that he or she:

• Underwent training outside of the United States or Canada
• Completed surgical training in an osteopathic program
• Chose not to meet ABPS training requirements
• Chose not to undergo an examination following residency
• Did not pass the ABPS examination