Why ABHRS Certification Matters

1) Applicant must document proof of three years of experience in private practice of hair restoration surgery. Applicants may be requested to furnish additional proof of three years experience in the field of hair restoration surgery in the sole discretion of the credential committee.
2) Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of 150 hair restoration cases performed in the preceding three years of date of application. Case logs must indicate the type of hair restoration surgery procedure, date of procedure, graft count and size (one hair FU, two hair FU, etc.), and patient age and gender.
3) Applicants must submit 50 documented Operative Reports along with completed official ABHRS clinical history form, with applicant noted as primary surgeon. Eligible operative reports standards require, in general, sufficient information to identify the patient, support the diagnosis, justify the treatment, document the postoperative course and results, and promote continuity of care. Specifically, operative reports should include the date and location of surgery, the name of the primary surgeon and assistants, vitals, findings, procedures used, specimens removed, operative plan, post operative diagnosis and course including post operative complications and their management, discharge conditions, instructions for follow-up care and such elements as are necessary to assure a high standard of patient care. Applicant shall submit the actual operative reports for each patient.
4) Applicants must submit 10 patient cases, which may be selected from the 50 required operative reports. The 10 cases should be of sufficient mix to illustrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in hair restoration surgery. When possible, include more complicated or secondary procedures, rather than solely focusing on typical single-procedure male pattern hair loss cases, to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge in Hair Restoration Surgery.

Each of the 10 patient cases must include the following information:
a) Full operative report
b) Official ABHRS clinical history form
c) Before and after photo sets showing satisfactory results
* Each photo set must include 16 photos (seven before, seven after, two immediate post op photos). See below “Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Photos”.

Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Before and After Photos
For each of the 10 patient cases, please ensure the following requirements are met for the before and after photos:
• The photos must be at least 8 x 12 inches in size and of the highest quality (180-300 dpi) to allow for appropriate evaluation of clinical inspection of surgical results. These photos are for professional evaluation, not to be confused with marketing type before and after photos.
• Clearly label each photo as “Before” or “After” or “Immediate post op”
• Each set of photos should include seven “before” photos: front facial, chin to chest, right oblique, left oblique, vertex view, close up of grafted area, and close up of donor harvest areas.
• Each set should also include seven “after” photos (at least nine months post-surgery) taken from the same angles: front facial, chin to chest, right oblique, left oblique, vertex view, close up of grafted area, and close up of donor harvest areas.
• Additionally, include two “immediate post-op” photos: grafted area and donor harvest area.
• This results in a total of 16 photos per patient case.
• Submit photos electronically as PDF or JPG files, 8 x 12 inches or larger, high quality (180-300 dpi). Do not submit slides or paper prints.
• Clearly label the number of sessions that have been performed and the time since the last session.
• “After” photos must be taken at least nine months after the surgical procedure date documented in each case report.
• Standardize the “Before” and “After” photos by using the same viewing angles, background, and lighting.
• Uniform professional background, preferably light blue or gray.
• Uniform and consistent illumination.
• Do not use barrettes or combs in the photos (except for close-up shots). Ideally, the hair should be of a similar length and styled consistently in both the “before” and “after” photos.
• In total, you must submit 160 photos with your application. One set of 16 photos attached to each of the 10 patient cases.
• Your application will not be considered complete until these high-quality photos are submitted and accepted.

5) Applicant must submit evidence and completion of 50 CME credit hours related to hair restoration surgery over the preceding three years of date of application, utilizing a combination of the following;

a. Proof of attendance at one or more ISHRS World Congress (recorded or in-person) – 15 Credits Must attend at least one over the past three years. No limit on credits every three years.
b. Proof of attendance ISHRS approved Live Surgical Workshop – eight credits/Day, up to a maximum of 16 credits every three years
c. Proof of attendance at in-person or On Demand ISHRS Advanced Board Review Course – eight Credits (Max eight credits this category). Earn eight credits for attending (in-person or On Demand), with a maximum of eight credits every three years.
d. ISHRS Regional ISHRS/Global Council sponsored meetings/workshops. Earn four credits per day for attending an approved Regional or Global Council sponsored meeting, up to a maximum of 16 credits every three years.
e. Proof of attendance unlimited ISHRS Webinar (Live or On Demand) – Earn two Credits per webinar for attending ISHRS Webinars (Live or On Demand) Unlimited number of credits allowed.

1) Applicant must have completed a one-year approved fellowship in hair restoration surgery, which includes completion of 70 hair restoration surgery cases as an assistant surgeon in a program recognized by the ISHRS (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery).
2) Applicant must furnish proof of a successful completion of fellowship.
3) Applicant must document proof of one year experience in private practice in hair restoration surgery. Applicants may be requested to furnish additional proof of one year experience in the field of hair restoration in the sole discretion of the credentialing committee.
4) Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of 50 hair restoration cases performed during the minimum one year period following successful completion of said hair restoration surgery fellowship. Case logs must indicate the type of hair restoration surgery procedure, date of procedure, graft count and size (one hair FU, two hair FU, etc.), and patient age and gender.
5) Applicants must submit 50 documented Operative Reports along with completed official ABHRS clinical history form, with applicant noted as primary surgeon. Eligible operative reports standards require, in general, sufficient information to identify the patient, support the diagnosis, justify the treatment, document the postoperative course and results, and promote continuity of care. Specifically, operative reports should include the date and location of surgery, the name of the primary surgeon and assistants, vitals, findings, procedures used, specimens removed, operative plan, post operative diagnosis and course including post operative complications and their management, discharge conditions, instructions for follow-up care and such elements as are necessary to assure a high standard of patient care. Applicant shall submit the actual operative reports for each patient.
6) Applicants must submit 10 patient cases, which may be selected from the 50 required operative reports. The 10 cases should be of sufficient mix to illustrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in hair restoration surgery. When possible, include more complicated or secondary procedures, rather than solely focusing on typical single-procedure male pattern hair loss cases, to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge in Hair Restoration Surgery.

Each of the 10 patient cases must include the following information:
a) Full operative report
b) Official ABHRS clinical history form
c) Before and after photo sets showing satisfactory results
* Each photo set must include 16 photos (seven before, seven after, two immediate post op photos). See below “Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Photos”.

Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Before and After Photos
For each of the 10 patient cases, please ensure the following requirements are met for the before and after photos:
• The photos must be at least 8 x 12 inches in size and of the highest quality (180-300 dpi) to allow for appropriate evaluation of clinical inspection of surgical results. These photos are for professional evaluation, not to be confused with marketing type before and after photos.
• Clearly label each photo as “Before” or “After” or “Immediate post op”
• Each set of photos should include seven “before” photos: front facial, chin to chest, right oblique, left oblique, vertex view, close up of grafted area, and close up of donor harvest areas.
• Each set should also include seven “after” photos (at least nine months post-surgery) taken from the same angles: front facial, chin to chest, right oblique, left oblique, vertex view, close up of grafted area, and close up of donor harvest areas.
• Additionally, include two “immediate post-op” photos: grafted area and donor harvest area.
• This results in a total of 16 photos per patient case.
• Submit photos electronically as PDF or JPG files, 8 x 12 inches or larger, high quality (180-300 dpi). Do not submit slides or paper prints.
• Clearly label the number of sessions that have been performed and the time since the last session.
• “After” photos must be taken at least nine months after the surgical procedure date documented in each case report.
• Standardize the “Before” and “After” photos by using the same viewing angles, background, and lighting.
• Uniform professional background, preferably light blue or gray.
• Uniform and consistent illumination.
• Do not use barrettes or combs in the photos (except for close-up shots). Ideally, the hair should be of a similar length and styled consistently in both the “before” and “after” photos.
• In total, you must submit 160 photos with your application. One set of 16 photos attached to each of the 10 patient cases.
• Your application will not be considered complete until these high-quality photos are submitted and accepted.

7) Applicant must submit evidence and completion of 50 CME credit hours related to hair restoration surgery over the preceding three years of date of application, utilizing a combination of the following;

a. Proof of attendance at one or more) ISHRS World Congress (recorded or in-person) – 15 Credits Must attend at least one over the past three years. No limit on credits every three years.
b. Proof of attendance ISHRS approved Live Surgical Workshop – eight credits/Day, up to a maximum of 16 credits every three years
c. Proof of attendance at in-person or On Demand ISHRS Advanced Board Review Course – eight Credits (Max eight credits this category). Earn eight credits for attending (in-person or On Demand), with a maximum of eight credits every three years.
d. ISHRS Regional ISHRS/Global Council sponsored meetings/workshops. Earn four credits per day for attending an approved Regional or Global Council sponsored meeting, up to a maximum of 16 credits every three years.
e. Proof of attendance unlimited ISHRS Webinar (Live or On Demand) – Earn two Credits per webinar for attending ISHRS Webinars (Live or On Demand) Unlimited number of credits allowed.

• Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of four hundred (400) hair restoration cases performed as primary surgeon in the preceding eight (8) years of date of application. Case logs must indicate the type of hair restoration surgery procedure, date of procedure, graft count and patient age and gender.
• Applicants must submit fifty (50) documented Operative Reports with applicant noted as primary surgeon. Eligible operative reports standards require, in general, sufficient information to identify the patient, support the diagnosis, justify the treatment, document the postoperative course and results, and promote continuity of care. Specifically, operative reports should include the date and location of surgery, the name of the primary surgeon and assistants, vitals, findings, procedures used, specimens removed, operative plan, post operative diagnosis and course including post operative complications and their management, discharge conditions, instructions for follow-up care and such elements as are necessary to assure a high standard of patient care. Applicant shall submit the actual operative reports for each patient.
• Of the 50 operative reports, the applicant must select five (5) cases which are complete with full case reports and include before and after photos that demonstrate satisfactory results. The five cases selected should be sufficient mix to illustrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in Hair Restoration Surgery and should include, where possible, but not limited to, secondary or complicated procedures other than typical single procedure male pattern hair loss.
• Each of the five (5) Operative Reports requested above must include and meet the following with regard to the before and after photos:

1. Ten (10) before and after photos must be submitted. All photos should be clearly marked and labeled with “Before” or “After” labels. Five (5) “before” photos must include top view, left side view, right side view, face view and vertex view, and five (5) “after” photos must include top view, left side view, right side view, face view and vertex view;
2. Photos must be 4×6 inches or larger and shall be submitted in electronic format (PDF, JPG file) with clear indication of each before and after procedure at each angle required. Slides and prints on plain paper will not be accepted;
3. Photos must be clearly marked as to how many sessions have been performed and the time since the last session. The “After” photos must be taken at least nine (9) months after the last procedure documented in each case report;
4. “Before” and “after” photographs are to be standardized as to viewing angle and to be of quality appropriate for website publication, including uniform professional background, including but not limited to, light blue or gray background, uniform and constant proper illumination consistent in the before and after photographs, taken without barrettes or combs and the hair must be the same length (i.e. not shaved in before photos and long in after photos);
5. In total, 50 photos must be submitted with the application; one set of ten photos attached to each of the five operative reports.
6. Applicant must submit evidence and completion of sixty (50) CME credit hours related to hair restoration surgery over the preceding three (3) years of date of application.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria in the two (2) 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 or Fellowship 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.