Membership Information

This membership type is for individuals who are not current members of the AACS.

Current AACS Members: Please use the Current Member Upgrade to Fellow #1-3 applications below.

Physicians applying for an AACS membership for the first time and as a Fellow member may do so following one of two pathways.

#1 Cosmetic Board Certification

This pathway is for those applicants who fulfill the following criteria:

1. Any current Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) or American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS).

#2 Traditional Pathway

This pathway is for those applicants who fulfill the following criteria:

1. With a current medical license in the location where he or she practices.
   
   
2. Are board certified in a “surgical specialty” by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOA-BOS), the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, or for internationally trained surgeons, the College of Surgeons of South Africa, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Consejo Mexicano, or the Philippine Board of Surgery, or other board deemed equivalent by the AACS’ Board of Trustees.
   
   
3. Who demonstrate, using this AACS surgical case listing template, that they have performed at least fifty (50) cosmetic surgery procedures as the surgeon with primary responsibility for the procedure, during the year prior to applying for Fellow-level membership.

Dues: $1,200
Application Fee: $100

This application is for current Physician members following the Cosmetic Board Certification pathway (#1) to become a Fellow member.

This pathway is for those applicants who fulfill the following criteria:

1. Any current Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) or American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS).

Application Fee: $100

This application is for current Physician members following the Non-Core pathway (#3) to become a Fellow member.

This pathway is for those applicants who fulfill the following criteria:

1. 1. Are board-certified in their primary specialty.
      
      
   2. Demonstrate, using the AACS surgical case listing template, that they have performed at least 100 cosmetic surgery procedures as the surgeon with primary responsibility for the procedure, during the year prior to application.
      
      
   3. Have significant AACS membership and participation experience. Read more about the Non-Core pathway’s additional qualifications or begin your application.

Application Fee: $100

This application is for current Physician members following the Traditional pathway (#2) to become a Fellow member.

This pathway is for those applicants who fulfill the following criteria:

1. 1. With a current medical license in the location where he or she practices.
      
      
   2. Are board certified in a “surgical specialty” by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOA-BOS), the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, or for internationally trained surgeons, the College of Surgeons of South Africa, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Consejo Mexicano, or the Philippine Board of Surgery, or other board deemed equivalent by the AACS’ Board of Trustees.
      
      
   3. Who demonstrate, using this AACS surgical case listing template, that they have performed at least fifty (50) cosmetic surgery procedures as the surgeon with primary responsibility for the procedure, during the year prior to applying for Fellow-level membership.

Application Fee: $100

 Physician membership may be granted to any doctor (MD, DO, DDS or DMD) who:

1. Has a current medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices;

2. Performs cosmetic surgery in the United States or internationally;

3. Is interested in being part of a forum for physicians and dentists and related professionals from all specialties practicing cosmetic surgery in order to develop common goals, encourage education and research, establish standards of practice, and support, augment, and advance the science and art of cosmetic surgery;

International physicians are welcome to apply for Physician Membership.

New Surgeon – for Physician-level members within their first year following their residency or fellowship training completion. Proof of program completion date required. Discounted Membership for your first year out of training. Join as New Surgeon.

Dues: $1,000 (Physician)/ $450 (New Surgeon)
Application Fee: $100

Allied Health membership may be granted to anyone who:

1. Performs professional services related to cosmetic surgery or medicine;

2. Is not a member of the medical and/or dental professions (MD, DO, DDS or DMD);

3. Is interested in being part of a forum for physicians and dentists and related professionals from all specialties practicing cosmetic surgery in order to develop common goals, encourage education and research, establish standards of practice, and support, augment, and advance the science and art of cosmetic surgery.

Dues: $275
Application Fee: $100

Resident Member. Resident membership may be granted to any physician who:

1. For US. or Canadian residents and Training Fellows: has a current United States and/or Canadian medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices unless a state statute does not require a training license, in that case proof of residency or fellowship enrollment and an NPI number should serve as verification is participating in residency or fellowship training in an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved surgical specialty, an American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOA-BOS) approved surgical specialty, or other surgical specialty deemed equivalent by the Academy;

2. For international Residents or Training Fellows, has a current medical or dental license in the location he/she practices; is participating in a residency or fellowship training program in an approved surgical specialty: Dermatology; General Surgery; Obstetrics/Gynecology; Ophthalmology; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Orthopedic Surgery; Otolaryngology; Plastic Surgery; Thoracic Surgery; Urology; and must submit an endorsement form (PDF) signed by a current Fellow-level AACS member. All documents must be submitted in English. 

3. Resident members who are no longer in residency/fellowship training may upgrade their membership to Physician or Fellow level at any time by contacting the AACS.

4. Resident members enjoy access to monthly AACS WebClinics at no cost, in addition to networking opportunities, Academy news and updates, and discounts on other AACS education and CME programs. Resident members are not eligible to vote or hold office.

Dues: $0
Application Fee: $0