As a result the surgical and aesthetic skill level of a physician offering to perform hair transplant surgery can vary significantly. Also although genetic hair loss is common and usually easy to diagnose, it is important that your physician understands the causes of hair loss and is properly trained to diagnose and treat other causes of hair loss properly.
Why An ABHRS Certified Surgeon?Approximately 200 hair restoration surgeons have completed the rigorous pathway to achieve the designation of DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY. To become a Diplomate of the ABHRS a physician must demonstrate training, evidence of post-training surgical experience, aesthetic skill and a comprehensive clinical understanding of hair loss and its treatment modalities. In order to qualify for the annual examination a candidate must present case logs and operative reports with surgical details with before and after photographs providing evidence of high quality, cosmetic and aesthetic results. An applicant must successfully complete a comprehensive examination consisting of both an oral and written component identifying a thorough knowledge of hair restoration surgical techniques. The ABHRS exam stands as the only psychometrically and statistically validated examination dedicated to the specialty of hair restoration surgery. The ABHRS is the only recognized board certification by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, (ISHRS) the largest hair restoration education society in the world.
6) Applicant must submit evidence and completion of sixty (60) CME credit hours over the preceding three (3) years of date of application. Please note this requirement is waived for physicians outside of the U.S.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria in the three (3) routes of the certification set forth above may seek to obtain a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) by meeting the following criteria (in addition to the general requirements set forth above): CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATION (CAQ):
1) Applicant must submit proof of attendance of at least two (2) ISHRS annual meetings.
2) Applicant must submit proof of attendance at ISHRS endorsed programs consisting of a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of live surgery workshop.
3) Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of twenty-five (25) hair restoration cases performed as a primary surgeon. Case logs must indicate the type of hair restoration surgery procedure, date of procedure, graft count and patient age and gender.
4)Applicant must pay an examination fee for the written component only of the examination in an amount established by the Board of Directors.
5) Applicant must successfully pass the ABHRS written examination.
6) Applicant who successfully meets the above criteria will receive a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ). The CAQ does not constitute ABHRS Board Certification Diplomate Status. The Applicant will not be listed on the ABHRS website directory as a Diplomate.
7) Applicant who successfully achieves the Certificate of Added Qualification shall be eligible to sit for the oral examination upon satisfaction of meeting the minimum criteria for the Experience Route, Fellowship Route or Lifetime Achievement Route set forth above.
8) In order to become an ABHRS Board Certified Diplomate the Applicant must successfully pass both Written and Oral Components of the Examination.
Application forms may be obtained from the Administrative Office of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) or downloaded from the ABHRS website. Any applicant must submit all requested documents, a non-refundable application fee in an amount determined by the Board of Directors, and a completed application for review and approval by the ABHRS Credentialing Committee before being permitted to participate in the examinations. All forms must be typed or printed clearly.
Upon committee approval of one’s application, a candidate may challenge the Annual Examination. In the sole discretion of the ABHRS, facsimile (fax) or e-mail copies of the required forms and/or supporting documentation will be accepted. In the event the ABHRS determines the fax or email copy is not acceptable, applicant must submit an original copy of document requested within 3 business days of request. The Board recommends that applicants send important documentation by confirmed delivery service.
The certification examination is comprehensive, covering the biological sciences and clinical practice of hair restoration surgery. The certification examination in hair restoration surgery consists of two components:
The Oral and Written Examination may be taken the first time it is given after applicant’s completion of the certifying requirements. The completed application for the Oral and Written Examination must be received in the Administrative Office at a time certain established by the ABHRS Board of Directors.
Following notification approval of the Oral and Written Examination Application by the Credentialing Committee, candidates must confirm their intentions to take the Oral or Written Examination by notifying the Administrative Office in writing, and by submitting the nonrefundable Examination Fee. A candidate’s cancellation of a confirmed examination shall result in the examination fee being deferred, if canceled by the designated deadline. Any candidate, who fails to appear for a confirmed Oral or Written Examination for 3 consecutive years, shall forfeit their examination fees.
Following confirmation of intent, candidates must take and pass both components of the Examination. A candidate must pass both the Written Examination and the Oral Examination in order to become Board Certified. The Written component contains multiple-choice test items. The Written Examination measures knowledge of facts, concepts, principals and procedures and the application of knowledge to simulated situations for testing problem solving and critical thinking. The Oral component contains oral protocols. The Oral Examination measures simulated clinical problem solving.