The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
Usually, when you hear the term, "board certified", it commonly means being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or if in Canada, the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).  Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) can be certified in Plastic Surgery through their Osteopathic Board and also through the ABPS.   Board certification in Plastic Surgery by the ABMS assures that a surgeon has completed his or her residency, is trained in their medical specialty, has practiced their medical specialty for the minimum amount of years, and has taken oral and written exams issued by the respective board.  

"By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., you can be assured that the doctor has:

• graduated from an accredited medical school

• has completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon.

• This includes a minimum three-year residency in an accredited general surgery program 

• and a minimum two-year residency in plastic surgery. 

• To become certified, the doctor then must successfully complete comprehensive written and oral exams. 

• Board Certification is a voluntary process.

It [the ABPS] is the only ABMS Board which certifies in the full spectrum of the entire specialty of plastic surgery."   

"Starting January 2002, all certifications will be valid for a period of 10 years.  Requirements for re-certification include:

• A valid primary certificate from The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc

• Completion of the Board's Application for Recertification and required fees.

• A valid, registered, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in every state, territory, or possession of the United States or by a Canadian province, or location in which the Diplomate currently is licensed to practice.

• Verification of professionalism by the completion of an evaluation form of the Diplomate's character and satisfactory performance from the Chief of Surgery or Chief of Staff at the hospitals where the Diplomate practices.

• Evidence of current valid hospital appointments.

• Evidence of accreditation of non-hospital surgical facilities at which the diplomate operates

• Diplomates must provide evidence of successful completion of at least 150 hours of CME programs during the three years preceding the Application for Re-certification. 

• electronically submit a surgical case list covering a six-month period.

• Diplomates must also successfully complete a practice-oriented multiple-choice computer based examination."

The ABPS does not recognize the term, "board eligible."  For more information please see the ABPS Recertification Information Page.

Headquarters:
The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Seven Penn Center, Suite 400
1635 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: (215) 587-9322
Fax: (215) 587-9622
Website: http://www.abplsurg.org   

• Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or, in Canada, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Five years of residency (usually three years of general surgery followed by two years of plastic surgery residency)
• Two years of post-residency practice
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
• complete a total of 150 CME credit hours within every 2-year period to remain a member of the ASPS. 

Source: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons 

• "Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or, in Canada, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada;

• Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification;

• Participate in accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) to stay current with developments in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery;

• Document the performance of a significant number and variety of cosmetic
  surgical cases to demonstrate wide experience;

• Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons to help ensure that the applicant's professional reputation meets the high standards required by ASAPS; and

• Adhere to current ethical standards for professional conduct as outlined in the Code of Ethics observed by all ASAPS-member surgeons." 

Source: The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Additional Organizations

Applicants for Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons are required to have the following qualifications:

• Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
• Certification by an American Surgical Specialty Board which is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties and which is appropriate to the applicant's specialty practice, or an appropriate specialty certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• A full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in their respective state or province.
• One year of surgical practice after completion of all formal training. Additional practice time may be required if the practice situation and/or geographic location changes. Exceptions may be granted by the Member Services Liaison Committee.
• A current appointment on the surgical staff of the applicant's primary hospital with no reportable action pending which could adversely affect staff privileges at that or any other health care facility.
• A current practice that establishes the applicant as a specialist in surgery. The degree to which a practice must be restricted to the specialty is to be determined by a responsible College Credentials Committee. The limitation of an applicant's practice to the scope of the designated specialty is an important consideration.
• Interest in pursuing professional excellence both as an individual surgeon and a member of the surgical community. Such interest may be evidenced by membership in local, regional, and national surgical specialty societies; participation in teaching programs and on hospital committees; continuing medical education through attendance at professional meetings, courses, and seminars.
• Ethical fitness as well as professional proficiency as determined by an appropriate College Credentials Committee. This determination is based upon information obtained from Fellows who were consulted as references and from other sources.  

Source: The American College of Surgeons

Headquarters:
American College of Surgeons
633 N. Saint St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Telephone: (312) 202-5000
Fax: (312) 202-5001
Email: postmaster@facs.org 
Website: http://www.facs.org 

Continued Medical Education (CME)
Many states require that a physician seek a minimum amount of hours before allowing a physician to renew their license.  Check with your individual state's medical or osteopathic board for more information.

Professional Societies also require CME to maintain their membership.  The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires at least 150 hours of CME during the three years preceding the re-certification application to be considered for re-certification.  Even professional societies like the ASPS and the ASAPS require CME to maintain their memberships.  Please see the relevant sections for more information.