What Is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon? Why It Matters for Your Safety and Results

In today’s world, it can feel like there’s a plastic surgeon on every corner. Social media ads, medspa promotions, and cosmetic “specialists” are everywhere—each claiming to be an expert. You’ll often see the phrase “board certified” in their marketing, but few patients realize one crucial detail:

Board certified… by who?

Not all certifications are equal—and choosing the wrong kind of provider can put your safety, your results, and your health at serious risk.

This guide breaks down what it truly means to be a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, why the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only legitimate certification for surgeons performing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, and why patients in Northern Virginia and the DC area trust the board-certified team at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

What Does “Board Certified” Really Mean?

The term board certified is widely used in aesthetics, but it is often misunderstood—and sometimes misused.

Many cosmetic providers use the title without specifying which board certified them. In reality, the only board that certifies true plastic surgeons is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

If a provider is not certified by the ABPS, they are not a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Why the American Board of Plastic Surgery Matters

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the gold standard in surgical training, safety, and ethics. It is the only plastic surgery board recognized by:

• The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

ABPS certification is one of the most rigorous medical achievements in the United States.

To become ABPS board certified, a surgeon must:

• Complete at least 6–8 years of dedicated surgical training after medical school
• Complete a full residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Master complex procedures of the face, breast, and body
• Perform thousands of surgeries under supervision
• Pass extensive written and oral examinations
• Commit to ongoing continuing education and re-certification throughout their career
• Operate only in accredited surgical facilities that meet strict safety standards

This level of training goes far beyond a weekend course, an online certification, or a cosmetic fellowship created by unrecognized organizations.

A Major Red Flag: There Is No “American Board of Cosmetic Surgery”

Patients are often surprised to learn this, but it’s incredibly important:

There is no such thing as the “American Board of Cosmetic Surgery” (ABCS).

This group is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and is not an accepted credential for performing plastic or cosmetic surgery.

In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has publicly stated that ABCS certification can mislead patients into thinking they are seeing a legitimately trained plastic surgeon—when they are not.

If you see ABCS listed on a provider’s website, consider it a major red flag.

The Rise of Undertrained “Cosmetic Surgeons”—And Why It’s Dangerous

In recent years, there has been a concerning trend:

Dentists, ER doctors, urologists, family doctors, and others are taking short weekend courses in liposuction, injectables, or cosmetic procedures, then marketing themselves as “cosmetic surgeons” or even implying they are plastic surgeons.

These providers have not completed plastic surgery training and often operate outside their specialty—putting patients at risk of:

• Nerve damage
• Severe scarring
• Infection
• Fat embolism
• Cosmetic deformities requiring surgical correction
• Life-threatening complications

Cosmetic surgery is real surgery. Your doctor should have real surgical training.

How to Verify a Plastic Surgeon’s Credentials

Before scheduling a cosmetic procedure, always check credentials directly:

Use the ABPS online certification checker:

https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/

If the provider does not appear in the ABPS database, they are not a board-certified plastic surgeon—even if their marketing suggests otherwise.

Why Choose Austin-Weston’s Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

At Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, every surgeon is:

• Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Trained in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery
• Highly experienced in procedures of the face, breast, and body
• Operating in our fully accredited, on-site surgical center
• Committed to continuing education, advanced training, and lifelong learning

Our surgeons have undergone extensive, legitimate training that far exceeds industry minimums. Many have pursued advanced cosmetic surgery fellowships, international trainings, and specialized certifications to refine their skills and remain leaders in the field.

This ensures that every patient—whether seeking breast augmentation, tummy tuck, facelift, liposuction, or other cosmetic procedures—receives the safest care and the most natural-looking results.

The Importance of Board Certification for Your Safety and Your Results

Choosing the right surgeon isn’t about price or convenience. It’s about:

• Your safety
• Your long-term results
• Your confidence
• Your ability to achieve the aesthetic outcome you want

A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon has the training, experience, and judgment to handle complications, maintain surgical safety, and deliver consistently excellent results.

Your appearance and health are too important to gamble with.

Considering Cosmetic Surgery in Northern Virginia or Washington, DC?

If you're beginning your cosmetic surgery journey, choosing an ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon should be your first step.

Austin-Weston proudly serves patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and the entire DMV region, offering:

• World-class board-certified surgeons
• A state-of-the-art accredited surgical facility
• Thousands of successful procedures
• A warm, supportive, patient-centered experience

Schedule a Consultation With a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Your safety. Your results. Your confidence.

Choose a team that meets the highest standards in cosmetic surgery.

Schedule your consultation today with one of Austin-Weston’s Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.