Overview
The Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Certification Scheme is supported by a process that aims to provide accreditation of competences (including professional behaviours, clinical skills, knowledge and experience) in defined areas of cosmetic surgery.
It was initially developed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England through a Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialty Committee comprising a wide range of stakeholders including representatives of the surgical colleges in the UK and Ireland, the relevant Surgical Specialty Associations (SSAs), patients, providers and regulators. Its role was to respond to the review into the regulation of cosmetic interventions in 2013, led by the Department of Health, which recommended a more robust regulatory framework that provides protection against the potential risks from cosmetic procedures. The certification process is an important step in this direction by recognising those surgeons who have the appropriate training, qualifications and experience in the area of cosmetic surgery in which they practise, by supporting patient choice and by promoting confidence in the quality of training and practice in cosmetic surgery.
The process and the criteria on which it relies have been reviewed and updated by the Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Oversight Committee.
How to get Certified
Certification is open to all surgeons who are on the GMC specialist register, perform cosmetic surgery and are in a relevant surgical specialty. There are ten available areas of certification. To gain certification, simply:
- Submit your application and accompanying evidence via the online portal
- Attend the RCS new virtual masterclass — contact them for more information.
Following successful completion, you will be added to a public list of certified surgeons
and receive a certification certificate.
Professional Standards for Cosmetic Surgery
The RCS has also published Professional Standards for Cosmetic Surgery which stipulate that only surgeons with the appropriate training and experience should undertake cosmetic surgery, as well as the ethics and behaviour expected of them. For more information please visit their website or click here for a short summary