The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. was organized as a subsidiary of the American Board of Surgery

American Board of Surgery

The American Board of Surgery is an independent, non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge...

 in 1938. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. was given the status of a major specialty board in 1941. It is the one certifying body for Plastic and Reconstructive surgery

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...

 recognised by the American Board of Medical Specialties

American Board of Medical Specialties

The American Board of Medical Specialties is a non-profit physician-led umbrella organization for 24 of the 26 approved medical specialty boards in the United States...

.

ABPS certification has the following requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Completion of either:
• at least three years of general surgery residency training
• or a complete residency in neurological surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or urology.

As well as:

• Completion of plastic surgery residency training of at least two years
• Passing comprehensive oral and written exams

Currently, ABPS certification must be renewed by examination every 10 years.

External links

• American Board of Plastic Surgery Website
• American Board of Medical Specialties Website