Board Certification, Why It Matters

Before you choose a plastic surgeon, you should be able to confirm three things yourself: that the surgeon holds a valid Florida medical license, which medical board has certified the surgeon, and who will give you anesthesia and where your surgery will take place. This guide explains each one and shows you where to check.

How to verify your surgeon

• Board certification in plastic surgery: use the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) tool, Is your Surgeon Certified? Search by name, state, or ZIP code. The result shows certification dates and location, and whether the certificate is retired, deceased, or revoked. You can also call the ABPS board office at 215-587-9322.
• Certification in any other specialty: search the ABMS Certification Matters directory if your surgeon is not listed with ABPS.
• Florida medical license: look up the license number in the Florida Department of Health license lookup. It shows license status and any disciplinary action.

Every CG Cosmetic surgeon profile lists the surgeon's Florida license number so you can check it. Ask us which board certifies the surgeon you are considering, then confirm it with the tools above before you book. See our surgeons page.

What board certification means

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is a nonprofit organization that works with 24 approved medical specialty boards. Each board sets the training and examination standards for its specialty. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the ABMS member board for plastic surgery.

ABPS certification means the surgeon completed the required training and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations covering plastic surgery. Board certification is a voluntary credential, and it is separate from a medical license. A license allows a physician to practice in Florida. Board certification shows additional training and testing in a specialty.

Surgeons certified by ABPS in 1995 or later hold time-limited certificates that must be renewed through the Maintenance of Certification program. Surgeons certified before 1995 hold lifetime certificates and may renew voluntarily. The ABPS lookup reports which applies.

Be careful with similar-sounding titles

Some organizations use the word "board" in their name but are not ABMS member boards, and a title that mentions cosmetic surgery does not mean ABPS certification. If a surgeon says they are board certified, ask which board, and verify it on that board's own website. You can also ask the surgeon at which hospitals they hold surgical privileges.

Anesthesia options

Whenever you have sedation or general anesthesia, you rely on the person giving the medication and monitoring your vital signs. Ask who will provide your anesthesia, what their credentials are, and whether that person will watch you throughout the procedure.

• Anesthesiologist: a physician who completed medical school and a residency in anesthesiology.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): a registered nurse with graduate-level training in anesthesia who is nationally certified and state licensed. CRNAs administer and monitor general anesthesia.
• Registered Nurse (RN): a licensed nurse who may give intravenous medication and monitor vital signs under the direction of a physician.
• Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN): a nurse who has earned national certification in plastic surgical nursing.
• Your surgeon: in some practices the surgeon directs the sedation. Ask who monitors your vital signs, because that should be a separate qualified team member.

Meet the providers on our anesthesia and nursing team.

The operating facility

Ask any surgeon you are considering where your surgery will be performed, and ask to see proof that the facility is licensed and accredited. At CG Cosmetic, surgery takes place in our facility at 2601 SW 37th Ave, Miami, FL 33133. Learn more on our facility page.