<h2>
	<strong><span style="font-size: 14px"><span style="color: #f00">Updated November 2010</span></span></strong></h2>
<p>
	Beginning in 2006, all physicians who are newly certified will be required to meet the new ABPS Standards for Recertification. Physicians who were initially certified prior to 2006 will not have to meet the new recertification requirements until after their next recertification.</p>
<p>
	ABPS will accept Diplomates certified by the Boards that are part of The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) as candidates for recertification with ABPS in any specialty in which ABPS currently certifies physicians.</p>
<p>
	<b>Please note that in addition to the recertification requirements listed, all applicants due for recertification in 2012 or later will be required to show proof of completion of an AAPS-approved course in Medical Ethics.</b>&nbsp; (To assist physicians in meeting this requirement, AAPS will periodically schedule for its members a one-day course in Medical Ethics.)&nbsp; CMEs earned for attending the medical ethics course may also be applied to meeting the CME recertification requirements.</p>
<p>
	The Board recommends that all applicants keep a copy of all application materials sent to ABPS.</p>
<p>
	<b>Requirements for Recertification</b></p>
<p>
	<b><u>Recertification Requirements for Physicians who were Initially Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery prior to 2006</u></b></p>
<p>
	<b>Note:&nbsp; The following requirements apply only to the next recertification.&nbsp; After recertifying, the physician will be required to meet the new recertification requirements, listed below.</b></p>
<ol>
	<li>
		Submit a completed recertification application, along with payment of appropriate fee.&nbsp; Refer to the <a href="/board-recertification-fees">click here</a></li>
	<li>
		Submit documentation of CME hours:&nbsp; For the years since certified or last recertified through the year 2005&mdash;an average of 30 CMEs per year in the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; and for the years 2006 and later:&nbsp; an average of 50 hours per year with at least 25 CMEs in the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. &nbsp; At least 25 of the CME hours received during the eight years should be obtained through AAPS-sponsored programs.<br />
		<br />
		The ABPS CME form must be used, in compiling the CMEs.Copies of an official printout or copies of certificates must be attached to the ABPS CME Form.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Provide a copy of current medical license with expiration date.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Successfully pass a written examination in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<p>
	<b><u>New Recertification Requirements for Physicians Who are Initially Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery after&nbsp; 2005 and for Physicians After Recertifying in 2006 or Later</u></b></p>
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					<p>
						The following resources are available for on-line CME and self-assessments:</p>
					Submit documentation of CME hours:an average of 50 hours per year with at least 25 CMEs in the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. At least 25 of the CME hours received during the eight years must be obtained through AAPS-sponsored programs.<br />
					<br />
					The ABPS CME form must be used, in compiling the CMEs.view Copies of an official printout or copies of certificates must be attached to the ABPS CME Form.<br />
					<br />
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										&nbsp;</p>
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									<p>
										<b>A list of CME/Self Assessment Resources compiled by Dr. Bernard Sklar (</b><b>Online Continuing Medical Education) is available at <a href="http://www.cmelist.com/list.htm">http://www.cmelist.com/list.htm</a></b></p>
									<p>
										<strong>Another resource for On-Line self assessments is NetCE at</strong> <a href="http://www.netce.com/"><strong>www.netce.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
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<ol>
	<li>
		Submit a completed recertification application, along with payment of appropriate fee.&nbsp; Refer to the fee schedule <a href="/board-recertification-fees">click here</a></li>
	<li>
		At least 50 questions of self-assessment CME Examination(s) must be satisfactorily completed each year, except in the final year of the certification/recertification cycle.CMEs obtained from self-assessments may be used to meet the annual CME requirements specified in item 2 of this section.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Provide a copy of current medical license with expiration date.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Successfully pass a written examination in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.</li>
</ol>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
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					<img src="../../images/icons/acrobat.gif" /></p>
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				<p>
					<a href="http://www.abpsus.org/userfiles/files/PRSRecert.pdf"><b>Download Board Recertification Application</b></a> (.pdf, 163 KB)</p>
			</td>
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<p>
	* NOTE: <b>Recertification Application fee is non-refundable</b></p>
<p>
	<b>When and Where the Examinations are Offered</b></p>
<p>
	The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS), offers&nbsp;computer-based recertification examinations twice a year in testing centers across the United States and Canada.&nbsp; The recertification examination process in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery requires candidates to pass only a written examination.</p>
<p>
	<a href="/recertification-exam-schedule" linkindex="28">Click Here</a> for a full listing of upcoming ABPS Recertification Exam Dates.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<b>The Written Examination&mdash;What to Expect</b></p>
<p>
	The written examination consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions of four choices.&nbsp; (Experimental or non-scorable items may also appear on an examination.&nbsp; These questions will not necessarily be identified as non-scorable.)&nbsp; Each scorable question has only one correct answer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<b>Test Blueprint</b></p>
<p>
	<font face="Arial">The following table lists the <u><font face="Arial" size="3">approximate</font></u><font face="Arial" size="3"> number of items in each domain included on each form of the examination:</font></font></p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="583">
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				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><b>Domain</b></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><b><font face="Arial">Approximate Number of Questions on the Examination</font></b></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Anesthesia</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">5</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Basic Science of Plastic Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Basic Techniques of Plastic Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">4</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Breast Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">18</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Burn Wounds and Reconstruction</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">5</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">2</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Cosmetic Surgery of the Aging Face</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Cosmetic Surgery/Aesthetic Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">4</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Craniofacial Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">1</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Ear Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Eyelid and Brow Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">7</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Facial Bone Fractures</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Genital Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Hand Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">10</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Head and Neck Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">2</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Implantation Material</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Liposuction and Body Contouring</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Lower Extremity Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Medical Legal Aspects</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Microsurgery: Clinical Surgery and Free Tissue Transfer</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">2</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Nasal Surgery</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">7</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Peripheral Nerve Injury</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td valign="top" width="343">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial" size="3">Pressure Sores</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
			<td nowrap="nowrap" valign="bottom" width="240">
				<p align="center">
					<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="3"><font face="Arial">3</font></font></font></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<p>
	<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Examination Study References<br />
	</b><br />
	You may wish to use the study references to prepare for the written recertification examination.&nbsp; The Examinations Committee uses these references to create questions for the examinations.</font></font></p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
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<p>
	<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="2"><b>When Examination Results are Available</b></font></font></p>
<p>
	<font face="Arial"><font face="Arial" size="2">ABPS sends to candidates the results of their examinations within 75 days of the administration date.</font></font></p>
