Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification Scheme

We support surgeons to certify in specific areas of cosmetic surgery. This helps raise standards and improve safety in private practice.

Certification shows your commitment to high standards and helps patients make informed choices. It’s a practical step towards building trusted, future-ready cosmetic surgery practice.

Apply to take part in the scheme

About Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification

If you're on the General Medical Council or Irish Medical Council specialist register and work in a surgical specialty that includes cosmetic procedures, you can apply to Board-certify through this scheme.

Certification areas and corresponding specialties 

You can be certified in one or more of the following nine areas, each linked to specific specialty training: 

  1. Cosmetic breast surgery
    Specialties: plastic surgery, general surgery (with a declared interest in breast surgery)

  2. Cosmetic nasal surgery
    Specialties: plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery

  3. Cosmetic surgery of the periorbital region
    Specialties: plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, Ophthalmology (with a declared interest in oculoplastic surgery)

  4. Cosmetic surgery of the ear
    Specialties: plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery

  5. Cosmetic surgery of the face
    Specialties: plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery

  6. Cosmetic body contouring surgery
    Specialty: plastic surgery

  7. Massive weight loss surgery
    Specialty: plastic surgery

  8. Cosmetic surgery (plastic surgery specialists)
    Specialty: plastic surgery

  9. Non-surgical cosmetic procedures
    Includes: Botox, dermal fillers
    Specialties: plastic surgery, general surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology (with a declared interest in oculoplastic surgery)

The scheme recognises your professional behaviours, clinical skills, knowledge and experience.

What you need to certify depends on your experience in private practice and whether you are post-Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and a member of a recognised specialist association.

If you're newly qualified and planning to work in private practice, you can certify with mentor support over a longer period.

All applicants must complete our Professional Behaviours in Aesthetic Surgery (PBAS) course.

Benefits of certifying

  • Show you meet professional standards in cosmetic surgery
  • Demonstrate your commitment to safe, high-quality care
  • Be listed on the register of Board-Certified Surgeons
  • Reassure patients and employers in private practice
  • Future proof your cosmetic surgery practice.

Duration

We will review your application within 28 days.

The time it takes to certify depends on your experience.

Certification is valid for five years.

Fees

  • Registration fee (once approved) - £650
  • PBAS course - £599
  • Recertification (every five years) - £250

How to apply

You can register your application on the Intercollegiate cosmetic surgery board certification scheme website.

Contact us

Background

The Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Board (ICSB) oversees the scheme. It is supported by the Royal College of Surgeons of England on behalf of the four surgical royal colleges of Great Britain and Ireland.

The board includes members from:

  • British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
  • British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BAOMS)
  • British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
  • British Oculoplastic Surgical Society (BOPSS)
  • British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery (BSFPS)
  • Plastic Surgery Trainees Association (PLASTA UK)

Testimonials

"We encourage all appropriately qualified surgeons to apply for certification to help ensure the highest standards of patient safety and care.
 — Tim Goodacre, The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) member of RCS Council and a Consultant Plastic Surgeon

"By achieving certification, surgeons will be able to demonstrate to patients that they meet the highest professional standards of training and a commitment to patient safety."
 — Mike Davidson, Chairman of The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS)

"Patients of all ages seeking cosmetic procedures can be vulnerable and they do need to be better protected. This is a great initiative by the College which represents an important step towards a safer system."
 — Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council

Cosmetic surgery Surgical standards