How to Check a Plastic Surgeon's Credentials
The three checks that matter before cosmetic or reconstructive surgery: the medical license, board certification and where the surgery will take place.
In the United States, the title "plastic surgeon" is not legally protected in the way many people assume. A licensed physician may be allowed to perform cosmetic procedures regardless of the specialty in which he or she trained. That is why it pays to check three things yourself before booking: the license, the board certification and the facility. This guide explains each, and what a registry listing such as this one does and does not show.
1. The medical license
Every physician who practices in a state needs a license from that state's medical board. Boards publish license lookups that show whether a license is active and may show disciplinary actions. The Federation of State Medical Boards runs DocInfo, which helps you find licensing and disciplinary information across states. Start with the surgeon's full name and the state where the procedure will take place. If you find no license, or a license that is not active, do not go ahead.
2. Board certification in plastic surgery
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certifies plastic surgeons who complete accredited training and pass its exams. You can check whether a surgeon is certified with the board's verification tool. Certification by a board in a different specialty, for example dermatology or otolaryngology, is not the same as certification in plastic surgery; some surgeons are certified in another specialty and perform cosmetic procedures, and some are certified by boards that are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Ask exactly which board certified the surgeon, in which specialty, and look it up yourself.
What the ABPS lookup shows
ABPS describes certification as a voluntary credential: it shows that a surgeon completed training beyond the minimum needed for a medical license and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations. Certificates issued since 1995 are valid for 10 years and must be renewed, so check that the status is current, not just that the surgeon was certified at some point. An active, unrestricted medical license is a requirement for certification. If ABPS has been told of a state medical board action against a certified surgeon, its lookup shows "See FSMB" in the status column, which is your cue to read the board record.
ABPS is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). If a surgeon names a board, check whether it appears on that list. A board that is not an ABMS member may still exist and certify people, but its standards are its own, and you should ask what training and exams it requires.
3. The facility
Ask where the procedure will be done: a hospital, an ambulatory surgery center or the surgeon's office. Ask whether the facility is accredited by a recognized body such as AAAASF, AAAHC or The Joint Commission, or is licensed or certified by the state, and ask who will administer anesthesia and what their credentials are. Ask what happens in an emergency, and which hospital is used if a patient needs to be transferred, and whether the surgeon has privileges there.
Rules for surgery done in a doctor's office vary by state. In California, for example, surgery outside a hospital that uses anesthesia, other than local anesthesia or peripheral nerve blocks, at doses that could cost a patient their life-preserving protective reflexes must be done in a setting that is accredited, licensed or certified, as the Medical Board of California explains. An ambulatory surgery center that takes Medicare must meet federal conditions for coverage in 42 CFR Part 416. Ask which of these applies to the place you are offered, and check with your state medical board or health department if you are unsure.
What an NPI listing tells you
This directory is built from the federal NPPES registry, where health care providers register for a National Provider Identifier. When a provider registers, he or she chooses a taxonomy, which is a code for a specialty. A listing shows "Registered specialty: plastic surgery" because the provider chose that code. NPPES does not check it. It is not board certification, and it is not proof of training, skill or license. A license number on an NPI record is also what the provider entered. Treat the listing as a starting point and use the checks above.
To see the record yourself, search the NPI Registry by the surgeon's name and state. The taxonomy table shows the primary specialty the provider chose (Plastic Surgery is code 208200000X) and any license number entered. Compare that number with the license on the state board's lookup; if they do not match, ask why.
Other things to ask
- How many times has the surgeon performed this exact procedure?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of the surgeon's own patients, with their permission?
- What are the risks and what are the rates of complications in the surgeon's practice?
- Who will be involved in my care besides the surgeon?
- What is the policy if I need a revision?
- Is the facility accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified, and can I see proof?
Red flags
- Pressure to book quickly or to pay a large deposit.
- A surgeon who will not tell you where the procedure will be done or who gives anesthesia.
- Prices far below other quotes in your area.
- A surgeon who cannot tell you which board certified him or her.
- Advertising that promises results.
Complaints
If you have a concern about a physician, contact the state medical board. ABPS says certification may be suspended or revoked when a surgeon's license is suspended or revoked, so a board action can affect both credentials. For a concern about a facility, contact the state health department. In an emergency, call 911. We list registry records and do not rate, endorse or recommend any provider.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Plastic Surgery Index is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.