When considering facial plastic surgery, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right surgeon. With so many doctors offering cosmetic procedures today, it can be difficult to know who is truly qualified. That’s where board certification comes in.
In this guide, we explain what it means to be a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, how to verify a surgeon’s qualifications, and the importance of these credentials for ensuring both safety and results.
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What Is a Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon?
A board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and neck. They perform a wide range of procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, brow lifts, and more.
Facial plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Qualifications of a Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
A board-certified facial plastic surgeon has advanced credentialing that goes beyond simply holding a medical license. While a medical license does allow a doctor to practice medicine, it doesn’t guarantee specialized training in facial plastic surgery. For patients, this distinction can mean the difference between achieving beautiful results and facing unnecessary risks.
Before even taking the facial plastic surgery board exam, surgeons must first go through years of extensive medical education, receive board certification in their primary specialty, and complete hundreds of hours of clinical experience.
Here is an overview of the requirements for becoming a board-certified facial plastic surgeon:
Medical Degree
The first step in becoming a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is to earn a medical degree from an accredited medical school. This typically requires 4 years of undergraduate education plus 4 years of medical school.
After receiving a medical degree, the next step is residency training.
Residency Training
Aspiring facial plastic surgeons will enter a 5–6 year residency program in either otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) or plastic and reconstructive surgery. Both provide training in facial surgery and serve as prerequisites for board certification.
During residency, surgeons gain hands-on experience in a wide range of procedures, learning how to operate safely, handle complications, and care for patients both before and after surgery.
In California, doctors need a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) to begin a residency training program. Until receiving a medical license, a PTL allows post-grads to only practice medicine inside their residency program while under strict supervision.
Medical License
After 1 to 2 years of residency surgeons can apply for a full, unrestricted medical license from their state’s medical board. In California, medical licensure is overseen by the Medical Board of California.
To earn a medical license in the U.S., surgeons must pass one of the following exams:
These exams are multi-step assessments that test everything from fundamentals to advanced strategies for patient management in real-world scenarios. They are incredibly rigorous and require months of intense preparation.
Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship
After finishing residency and receiving a medical license, the next step is completing a 1-2 year facial plastic surgery fellowship. This specialized training focuses exclusively on advanced facial plastic surgery techniques and reconstructive procedures.
This facial plastic surgery fellowship allows surgeons to refine their skills, fine-tune their aesthetic judgment, and gain extensive experience working with the face specifically.
Primary Board Certification
To be certified in facial plastic surgery, surgeons must first get a primary board certification in a related surgical specialty such as head and neck surgery (otolaryngology) or plastic surgery. This primary board certification is overseen by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS).
To become board-certified surgeons must pass a multistep exam series:
Surgeons who pass these examinations and earn their primary board certification have demonstrated keen medical knowledge, technical skill, and ethical standards.
Clinical Experience
After receiving their primary board certification, a surgeon must then complete a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience and a minimum of 100 surgeries. Only after they have a record of proven experience, are they eligible to apply to become a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Facial Plastic Surgery Board Certification
With one primary board certification and years of clinical experience under their belt, the next step is board certification in facial plastic surgery. This is done through the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
To achieve ABFPRS certification, a surgeon needs to meet strict professional and ethical standards and pass a rigorous two-part exam:
After a surgeon has passed these examinations, they are officially a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. This prestigious certification demonstrates that a surgeon has the highly specialized training, judgment, and expertise to deliver the exceptional results you deserve.
However—for any plastic surgeon, certification is never a one-and-done thing. In fact, ongoing education and training is required for maintaining these credentials.
Continued Education & Certification Requirements
In California, all licensed physicians must complete at least 50 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) during each renewal period, which is every 2 years. This can include attending conferences and workshops, taking specialized courses, teaching peers, or studying new research in peer-reviewed journals.
But board-certified facial plastic surgeons go even further.
For a surgeon to keep their board certification in facial plastic surgery, they must also adhere to ongoing education requirements set by their respective certifying boards:
What does this mean to patients? Your surgeon isn’t relying on information they learned years ago. They’re constantly staying ahead of the curve and sharpening their skills to give you the safest, most up-to-date care possible.
How to Verify a Facial Plastic Surgeon’s Certification
Now that you know the requirements for becoming a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, it’s also important to know how to verify if a surgeon has these credentials.
To check if your surgeon is board-certified in facial plastic surgery, you can use the physician finder database on the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) website.
All you need is their last name to search for a specific surgeon or an area code to see all the board-certified physicians within a 75-mile radius.
The Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
If you’re considering facial plastic surgery, choosing a board-certified surgeon is vital for ensuring your safety, experience, and results.
Here are just a few of the benefits you can get by working with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon:
Specialized Knowledge and Skills
Board-certified facial plastic surgeons have completed thousands of hours of research, training, and examinations to earn their credentials. In addition to having a medical degree, surgeons also go through 5-7+ years of specialty residency and fellowship programs to gain hands-on experience before practicing independently.
This gives them a well-rounded combination of advanced surgical knowledge, technical expertise, and real-world experience.
Safety and Risk Mitigation
Certified facial surgeons must follow strict ethical codes and safety standards to achieve and maintain their credentials. Board certification validates that your surgeon upholds the highest safety standards and is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of their patients before, during, and after any procedure.
Expert Understanding of Facial Anatomy
Board certification plays a key role in a surgeon’s ability to balance artistry with medical expertise. A certified facial plastic surgeon has advanced knowledge of the intricate structures of the face, head, and neck.
This allows them to help you achieve your goals while always keeping your unique anatomy and safety in mind.
An Artistic Eye for Beauty
Facial plastic surgery is a blend of science and art. Whether you’re seeking subtle enhancement or a dramatic transformation, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon has the expertise required to help you achieve specific goals.
Clear and Honest Communication
Becoming a board-certified facial plastic surgeon is a lifelong pledge to maintaining the highest degree of surgical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety and care. Your surgeon will demonstrate this with clear and honest communication from the very start.
They will set realistic expectations, explain potential outcomes, and guide you toward procedures that truly fit your unique needs and goals.
Meet Our Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Victor Lacombe, M.D.
Double-Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Santa Rosa double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lacombe is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology as well as the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
At UCLA, he became fellowship-trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Reconstruction of the Head and Neck. To this day, he is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery, California Medical Association, and American Medical Association.
Dr. Lacombe has devoted his 30 year career to helping Sonoma County residents reach their facial plastic surgery goals. Men and women in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and throughout Sonoma County choose Dr. Lacombe as their surgeon of choice because of his experience, his skill, and his passion for helping his patients.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in Santa Rosa
At Artemedica, your trust is everything to us. And we believe trust is earned through transparency, expertise, and results. Dr. Lacombe’s double-board certification represents a commitment to bringing you the highest quality care before, during, and after any procedure.
If you are interested in facial plastic surgery or any other treatments at Artemedica, contact us online or call our Santa Rosa office at (707) 577-8292 to schedule a free consultation.
