The American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies only surgeons who completed an accredited residency program in the United States, passed a series of rigorous written and oral exams, and had a collection of their actual operations and patients assessed. Board certification is the “gold-standard” of certification for safe, knowledgeable and ethical plastic surgeons and takes a minimum of 8 years. Beware: many “cosmetic” surgeons were trained in specialities other than plastic surgey and do not have Board Certification. Make sure any plastic surgeon you choose is Board Certified.