A qualified plastic surgeon should have the following: Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Medical degree (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Completion of 6-8 years of surgical residency training Licensure to practice medicine in their state Membership in professional organizations (e.g., American Society of Plastic Surgeons) Verify these credentials to guarantee your surgeon has the expertise and training for safe, successful results.