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Facial plastic surgery boards and societies

Check a facelift surgeon's board certification in the board's own public lookup before you book. A board certifies a surgeon by examination; a society admits members and runs meetings; a fellowship trains surgeons after residency. Each entry links to its official site, checked Sep 30, 2026.

How to check a surgeon The Top 500

How to check a surgeon

Each board's own public lookup, by the kind of surgeon it certifies.

Surgeon	Board and lookup
Plastic surgeon	American Board of Plastic Surgery Search by surgeon name; ABPS is the primary source of verification for its records. A state medical board action shows as 'See FSMB'. ABMS lookup across all ABMS boards: certificationmatters.org
Facial plastic surgeon	American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Search by ZIP code or last name; the ABFPRS website is a primary source of verification.
Facial plastic surgeon, otolaryngology	American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Last name and state or province are both required. ABMS lookup: certificationmatters.org
Oculoplastic surgeon	American Board of Ophthalmology 'Verify a Certification' search by name or location. ABMS lookup: certificationmatters.org
Any ABMS board	American Board of Medical Specialties One search across the ABMS member boards, ABPS, ABOHNS and ABO among them (abplasticsurgery.org).
United Kingdom	General Medical Council register Specialist Register status; BAAPS members are on it (baaps.org.uk).

Society directories show membership. ASPS states it does not independently verify members' current licensure or certification (find.plasticsurgery.org); ASOPRS states it does not verify members' licensure or certification status (oculofacialsociety.org).

Certification and membership

What each kind of organization checks, from its own pages.

A board certificate is an examination result. ABPS certifies plastic surgeons by written and oral examination (abplasticsurgery.org), and its specialty definition includes cosmetic surgery of the face and body (abplasticsurgery.org). ABFPRS was established to examine for expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (abfprs.org). ABOHNS certifies otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, whose scope includes facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (abohns.org). Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists: ASOPRS Fellow membership requires ABO or RCPSC certification (asoprs.org).

Society membership is admission to a professional body under its own rules. ASPS represents surgeons certified by ABPS or the RCPSC (plasticsurgery.org). AAFPRS states that all its members hold ABMS board certification (aafprs.org). ASOPRS states that it is not a certifying or accrediting body (asoprs.org).

A fellowship is training after residency. The AAFPRS Foundation program runs twelve months under a standard curriculum (aafprs.org), and ABFPRS examines the surgeons who complete it (abfprs.org).

ABPS, ABOHNS and ABO are ABMS member boards, and the ABMS search at certificationmatters.org covers every ABMS board (abplasticsurgery.org).

Boards

Examining boards. Each certifies by examination and publishes a lookup.

Board · United States

American Board of Plastic Surgery

ABPS

Certifies plastic surgeons by written and oral examination covering all plastic surgery procedures; cosmetic surgery is part of the specialty definition. Runs Continuous Certification: certificates issued since 1995 are valid 10 years. Also administers the Hand Surgery Examination. ABMS member board.

Founded: 1937Organized June 1937; recognized as a subsidiary of the American Board of Surgery May 1938; major specialty board status May 1941.
Members: 10,940 surgeons certified since 1937; about 7,749 diplomates actively practicing as of January 2026
Annual meeting: None

Search by surgeon name; ABPS is the primary source of verification for its records. A state medical board action shows as 'See FSMB'. ABMS lookup across all ABMS boards: certificationmatters.org

Sources · abplasticsurgery.org/about-us/history · abplasticsurgery.org/about-us/statistics · abplasticsurgery.org/about-us/plastic-surgery · abplasticsurgery.org/public/verify-certification · certificationmatters.org

Verify certification Official site

Board · United States and Canada

American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

ABFPRS

Certifies facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Requires an ACGME or RCPSC residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery or plastic surgery; prior certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the RCPSC; two years in practice; 100 operative reports accepted by peer review; an 8-hour written and oral examination; an accredited operating facility; licensure; the ABFPRS Code of Ethics. Examines surgeons completing AAFPRS Foundation fellowships.

Founded: 1986Established 1986 as the certifying body for facial plastic surgery; sponsored by 26 national medical societies (2022 guideline).
Members: Not published
Annual meeting: None

Search by ZIP code or last name; the ABFPRS website is a primary source of verification.

Sources · abfprs.org/about · abfprs.org/applying-for-certification · abfprs.org/physician-finder · abfprs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Identifyi…

Verify certification Official site

Board · United States

American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

ABOHNS

Certifies otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, whose stated scope includes facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Subcertifies neurotology, sleep medicine and complex pediatric otolaryngology. ABMS member board. Prior ABOHNS certification is one route to ABFPRS eligibility.

Founded: 1924Founded and incorporated 1924 as the American Board of Otolaryngology, the second specialty certifying body after the American Board of Ophthalmology (1916); a founding board of ABMS in 1933; renamed in 2018.
Members: Not published
Annual meeting: None

Last name and state or province are both required. ABMS lookup: certificationmatters.org

Sources · abohns.org/about-us/our-story · abohns.org/about-our-certifications/what-we-cer… · abohns.org/verify-certification · abfprs.org/applying-for-certification

Verify certification Official site

Board · United States

American Board of Ophthalmology

ABO

Certifies ophthalmologists by examination and runs Continuing Certification; one of 24 ABMS specialty boards. Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists: ASOPRS Fellow membership requires ABO or RCPSC certification. No separate oculoplastic certificate appears on the pages fetched.

Founded: 1916Founded 1916; the first American organization established to certify medical specialists.
Members: Not published
Annual meeting: None

'Verify a Certification' search by name or location. ABMS lookup: certificationmatters.org

Sources · abop.org · abop.org/about-the-board · abop.org/physician-search · asoprs.org/about-asoprs-

Verify certification Official site

Societies

Membership societies. Each sets its own entry rules and runs its own meetings.

Society · United States, with international members

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

AAFPRS

Membership society for facial plastic surgery; AMA National Medical Specialty Society with a seat in the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors. All members hold ABMS board certification; the majority are certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and most also by ABFPRS. The AAFPRS Foundation runs the fellowship program, meetings and research grants. Does not certify.

Founded: 1964Founded 1964; its Educational and Research Foundation was created in 1974.
Members: more than 2,200 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons
Annual meeting: AAFPRS Annual Meeting · next Sep 22, 2027, AustinAAFPRS Spring Meeting @ COSM · next Apr 7, 2027, Seattle

Member search by ZIP, city or name. Confirms AAFPRS membership, not board certification; check certification with ABFPRS, ABOHNS or ABPS.

Sources · aafprs.org/Consumers/About/Us/S/Academy.aspx · aafprs.org/Consumers/Foundation/About/ERF/Found… · aafprs.org/Consumers/Find-A-Surgeon/A/Find-A-Su…

Member directory Official site

Society · United States, with international members

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

ASPS

Membership society for plastic surgeons certified by ABPS or the RCPSC, or the national equivalent for international members. Requires members to operate in accredited surgical facilities. Does not certify.

Founded: 1931Founded 1931; The Plastic Surgery Foundation founded 1948.
Members: more than 11,000 physician members worldwide
Annual meeting: Plastic Surgery The Meeting · next Oct 15, 2026, Houston, TXASPS Virtual Spring Meeting · next Feb 26, 2027, Virtual

Member search by ZIP, city or name. ASPS states it does not independently verify members' current licensure or certification; check certification with ABPS.

Sources · plasticsurgery.org/about-asps · find.plasticsurgery.org

Member directory Official site

Society · United States, with international members

The Aesthetic Society (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

ASAPS

Membership society for aesthetic plastic surgery. Active Members are certified by ABPS or the RCPSC; Affiliated Specialty Members hold other ABMS certification or are DOs in plastic surgery, otolaryngology or facial plastic surgery; International Active Members hold equivalent national certification. Aesthetic Surgery Journal founded 1996. Does not certify.

Founded: 1967Started in 1967 by Simon Fredricks and John Lewis as the Society of Aesthetic Surgeons; first unofficial meeting October 1968, New Orleans (PMID 28520910).
Members: more than 5,000 members
Annual meeting: The Aesthetic MEET · next Apr 15, 2027, Miami Beach, FLAesthetic Interactive: Facial and Rhinoplasty Symposium · next Nov 13, 2026, Boca Raton, FL

Member search by location. Confirms membership; check certification with ABPS.

Sources · theaestheticsociety.org/about-aesthetic-society · theaestheticsociety.org/consumers/find-a-plasti… · PMID 28520910 · PMC5846699

Member directory Official site

Society · International

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

ISAPS

International membership society for board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons. Members must hold active membership in their national plastic surgery society and be sponsored by an Active or Life member. Runs the World Congress, the Olympiad and ISAPS courses; official journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Does not certify.

Founded: 1970Founded 1970; charter signed at the United Nations, New York. Conceived in 1969.
Members: over 6,000 members in 117 countries
Annual meeting: ISAPS World Congress · next Oct 27, 2026, CancunISAPS Olympiad World Congress

Member search. Confirms ISAPS membership; certification is checked with the national board or register in the surgeon's country.

Sources · isaps.org · isaps.org/discover/about-isaps · isaps.org/discover/about-isaps/history-of-isaps · isaps.org/discover/find-a-surgeon

Member directory Official site

Society · United States and Canada, with international members

American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

ASOPRS

Membership society for oculofacial plastic surgery (eyelids, orbit, tear drainage and face). States it is not a certifying or accrediting body. Fellow membership requires ABO or RCPSC certification. Approves two-year fellowships matched through SF Match; graduates become eligible for membership after oral and written examinations and an approved thesis. Publishes Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Founded: 1969Founded 1969; 50th anniversary 2019.
Members: almost 1,000 members in the US, Canada and over 30 other countries
Annual meeting: ASOPRS 56th Annual Fall Scientific Symposium · next Oct 8, 2026, New OrleansASOPRS · next May 20, 2027, Hilton Head Island

Fellow Member search, linked from asoprs.org. ASOPRS states it does not verify members' licensure or certification status; check certification with ABO.

Sources · asoprs.org/about-asoprs- · asoprs.org/history · asoprs.org/asoprs-fellowships · asoprs.org/why-choose-an-asoprs-surgeon · oculofacialsociety.org/surgeons-search

Member directory Official site

Society · Europe

European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery

EAFPS

Pan-European membership society for facial plastic surgeons trained in otorhinolaryngology, plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology or dermatology. Runs a fellowship programme, the European Rhinoplasty Masterclass and an annual meeting. Examination and certification are run by the European Board for Examination and Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (EBEC-FPRS).

Founded: 1977Founded 1977 as the Joseph Society; first named the European Academy of Facial Surgery. The EBEC-FPRS board examination was established under UEMS in 2022.
Members: members in 23+ countries (member count not published)
Annual meeting: EAFPS

Member search by specialty and country. EBEC-FPRS (ebec-fprs.org) publishes exam information; no public diplomate lookup was found on its fetched pages.

Sources · eafps.org · eafps.org/our-story · eafps.org/find-a-surgeon · ebec-fprs.org

Member directory Official site

Society · International

International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies

IFFPSS

Federation of national facial plastic surgery societies, governed by delegates of each member society. Sponsors IBCFPRS international certification, which uses the ABFPRS examination and requires prior national certification in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery or plastic surgery, two years in practice, 100 consecutive facial plastic cases in two years accepted by peer review, and a two-day written and oral examination. Runs a fellowship program and observerships.

Founded: 1997Formed 1997. The International Board for Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (IBCFPRS) was established in 2012 with ABFPRS, AAFPRS and IFFPSS support.
Members: 14 member societies
Annual meeting: EAFPSJoint EAFPS and IFFPSS Facial Plastic Surgery World Congress 2026, Lisbon

Published list of IBCFPRS diplomates by member society.

Sources · iffpss.org · iffpss.org/about.html · iffpss.org/international-board.html · iffpss.org/diplomates.html

Member directory Official site

Society · United Kingdom

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons

BAAPS

Membership association for aesthetic plastic surgery. Members are plastic surgeons on the General Medical Council Specialist Register and Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons; new applications are reviewed by Council and voted on at the Annual General Meeting; members are audited annually and complete the RCS cosmetic surgery certification scheme. Does not certify.

Founded: 1979Active since 1979; based at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London.
Members: Not published
Annual meeting: BAAPS

Member search by region, specialism or postcode. Specialist Register status is checked at the GMC register: gmc-uk.org

Sources · baaps.org.uk/about · baaps.org.uk/about/who_we_are/default.aspx · baaps.org.uk/patients/surgeons · baaps.org.uk/patients/safety_in_surgery/why_use… · baaps.org.uk/about/rcs_certification.aspx · gmc-uk.org/registrants

Member directory Official site

Fellowship

Postgraduate training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Fellowship · United States and Canada

AAFPRS Foundation Fellowship Program

Twelve-month postgraduate fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery under a standard curriculum; oral and written examinations follow completion. Applicants must be AAFPRS members and in or past an ACGME or RCPSC residency in otolaryngology or plastic surgery, or board certified in either. Application of Intent for the 2028-29 cycle opens November 2026; applications due February 1, 2027. ABFPRS by-laws require a completed ACGME residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery or plastic surgery for certification after fellowship.

Founded: 1969Program began 1969; run by the Educational and Research Foundation for the AAFPRS (created 1974).
Fellows: more than 1,200 fellows trained; 65+ positions each year

No public lookup of fellowship completion was found. Program directors are listed on the AAFPRS Program Directors page; board certification is checked with the ABFPRS Physician Finder.

Sources · fellowships.aafprs.org · aafprs.org/Professionals/Professional_Developme… · aafprs.org/Professionals/Development/Fellowship… · aafprs.org/Consumers/Foundation/About/ERF/Found…

Patient lookup Official site