An Overview of Plastic Surgery Boards and Societies

With so many surgeons to choose from, and so many boards and societies to which they may belong, we have gathered information about each and tried to give you an idea about what each membership actually means.

One important point to keep in mind is the difference between a board and a society. A board (in this case the American Board of Plastic Surgeons) actually certifies the surgeon. A society (like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) is an organzation setup to provide continuing education and training (among other things), and in many cases has requirements that go above and beyond those for board certification.

You can click on each board or society to view more details.

ASPS

• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic sugery specialty organization in the world, with about 6,500 members.
• ASP certified surgeons must meet the following requirements:
  • Graduate from an accredited medical school
  • Complete a combination of at least five years of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training
  • Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
  • Besides certification, membership in ASPS requires a plastic surgeon to regularly attend continuing medical education courses and to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Overview: The ASPS is a society made up of ABPS-certified surgeons. The largest of the plastic surgery specialty organizations -- with nearly 6,500 members -- ASPS members must complete a combination of five years of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training (as laid out by the ABPS). In a sense, they are more specialized ASPS sugeons.

Learn more about the ASPS

ABPS

• The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is one of the 24 specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and has 6,499 members.
• Membership within the ABPS is limited to those surgeons who have:
  • Majored in the field of plastic surgery and who conform to the ABPS Code of Ethics.
  • Graduated from an accredited medical school.
  • Completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon, including a minimum three-year residency in an accredited general surgery program and a minimum two-year residency in plastic surgery.
  • Successfully completed comprehensive written and oral exams.

Overview: ABPS members must complete five years of surgery training as a resident (three general and two plastic surgery).

Learn more about the ABPS

AACS

• The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is an accredited body of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), and includes the medical disciplines of plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Members in the AACS must first meet certain requirements pertaining to education, training, experience, and so forth.
• All fellows of the AACS are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABPS)and/or have their initial certification by one of the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties such as the American Boards of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery.

Overview: AACS members are certified by the ABPS and/or have their inital ceritifiation by one of the member boards of the AMS. AACS members participate in continuing education programs which are accrediteb by the ACCME.

Learn more about the AACS

ASAPS

• Approximately 25% of all ABPS certified surgeons are members of the the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
• They must meet ABPS requirements as well as the following:
  • Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification.
  • Participate in Continuing Medical Education (CME) like AACS.
  • Document the performance many and various cosmetic surgical cases.
  • Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons.
  • Adhere to current ethical standards for professional conduct.
    

Overview: ASAPS members represent 25% of all ABPS certified surgeons and must be in at least the third year of practice, participate in Continuing Medical Education (CME), document surgical cases, and be sponsored by two ASAPS members.

Learn more about ASAPS

ASAPS

• Approximately 25% of all ABPS certified surgeons are members of the the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
• They must meet ABPS requirements as well as the following:
  • Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification.
  • Participate in Continuing Medical Education (CME) like AACS.
  • Document the performance many and various cosmetic surgical cases.
  • Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons.
  • Adhere to current ethical standards for professional conduct.
    

Overview: ASAPS members represent 25% of all ABPS certified surgeons and must be in at least the third year of practice, participate in Continuing Medical Education (CME), document surgical cases, and be sponsored by two ASAPS members.

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