Upcoming Events
May 17-18, 2013
Vein Treatments for the Cosmetic Surgeon
Detroit, Michigan
September 21-22, 2013
Innovations in Aesthetic Breast Surgery
Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 2-5, 2013
World Congress on Advanced Liposculpture and Body Contouring
New York City, NY
Jan. 15-18, 2014
30th Annual Scientific Meeting
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Apply for AACS Membership
Fellow Membership | Associate Membership | Cosmetic Medicine AffiliateAllied Health Membership | International Membership | Resident Membership
Emeritus Fellow Membership | Honorary Fellow Membership
Application Process
To begin the application process, you can apply online or download a PDF application. Once you have applied, you will be contacted regarding any further documentation needed to complete your application. Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to our membership committee for approval. The committee will then recommend your application to the Board of Trustees, provided all requirements are met. Final approval is given by the Board of Trustees.
Fellow Membership
Fellow membership may be granted to any physician (MD or DO) who:
- has a current United States and/or Canadian medical license in the location where he/she practices;
- has 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 membership;
- is Board Certified 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, such as: Dermatology, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Plastic Surgery;
- is Board Certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery [This requirement applies only to membership applications received on or after January 1, 2012];
- is actively engaged on a regular basis in the performance of cosmetic surgery; and
- by their membership, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees (Board), will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
Fellows are the corporate members of the Academy and shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as provided by the Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation Act, the Academy's Articles of Incorporation, and the Academy's Bylaws, including the right to attend membership meetings, participate in discussions at such meetings, vote, and be eligible for elective offices and participation on committees. Fellows shall also have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy.
Membership Rate: $750 USD + $100 Application Fee
Apply Online
Download Application
Documentation Required
Associate Membership
Associate membership may be granted to any physician who:
- has a current United States and/or Canadian medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices;
- is Board Certified 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, such as: Dermatology, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Plastic Surgery;
- is not yet Board Certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery;
- is actively engaged on a regular basis in the performance of cosmetic surgery; and
- by their membership, in the opinion of the Board, will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
Associate members are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, and to inspect the Academy's books and records. Associate members may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at membership meetings. Associate members shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy. Associate members are encouraged to apply for Fellow membership after three years of Associate membership.
Membership Rate: $750 USD + $100 Application Fee
Apply Online
Download Application
Documentation Required
Cosmetic Medicine Affiliate
Cosmetic Medicine Affiliate membership may be granted to any physician who:
- has a current United States and/or Canadian medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices;
- is Board Certified in an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved surgical specialty, an American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialties (AOA-BOS) approved surgical specialty, or other surgical specialty deemed equivalent by the Academy;
- is actively engaged on a regular basis in the performance of cosmetic medicine; and
- by their membership, in the opinion of the Board, will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
Cosmetic Medicine Affiliate members are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. Cosmetic Medicine Affiliates may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at membership meetings. Cosmetic Medical Affiliates shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy.
Membership Rate: $750 USD + $100 Application Fee
Apply Online
Download Application
Documentation Required
Allied Health Membership
Allied Health membership may be granted to:
- Any persons engaged in the field of cosmetic surgery, in patient care, or in a technical or administrative capacity. Examples include: nurse practitioners, medical/physician assistants, estheticians, medical spa staff or other administrative staff. All candidates for membership must be referred by a physician who is on staff at their facility and is a current AACS member.
Allied Health members are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. Allied Health members may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at such meetings. Allied Health members shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy.
Membership Rate: $299 USD + $100 Application fee
Apply OnlineDownload Application
Documentation Required
International Membership
International membership may be granted to any physician who:
- has a current medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices;
- resides in any country other than the United States or Canada;
- has an interest in cosmetic surgery; and
- by their membership, in the opinion of the Board, will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
International members are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. International members shall have the right to receive notice of and attend membership meetings and other functions of the Academy, but may not participate in discussions at membership meetings. International members shall have such other member benefits as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy. International members are encouraged to seek the education, training, and experience required to become Fellow members of the Academy.
Membership Rate: $349 USD + $100 Application Fee
Apply Online
Download Application
Documentation Required
Resident Membership
Resident membership may be granted to any physician who:
- has a current United States and/or Canadian medical or dental license in the location where he/she practices;
- 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, such as: Dermatologic Surgery, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmic Surgery (Ophthalmology), Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery;
- has an interest in cosmetic surgery; and
- by their membership, in the opinion of the Board, will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
Resident members are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. Resident members may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at membership meetings. Resident members shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy. Within one year of a Resident member completing his/her residency or training program, the Resident member must apply for Associate or Fellow membership. Resident members that fail to apply for Associate or Fellow membership within this time period shall cease being Academy members without further action of the Academy.
Membership Rate: $0
Apply Online
Download Application
Documentation Required
Emeritus Fellow Membership
Emeritus Fellow membership may be granted to Academy Fellows who:
- are in good standing;
- have discontinued the practice of medicine entirely and are not using their medical knowledge in any form of remunerative activity; and
- in the opinion of the Board, will advance the Academy's exempt purpose and mission.
Emeritus Fellows are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. Emeritus Fellows may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at such membership meetings. Emeritus Fellows shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time, and shall be obligated to pay all dues and assessments imposed by the Academy.
Apply Online
Documentation Required
Honorary Fellow Membership
Honorary Fellow membership may be granted to:
- Any individual who, in the opinion of the Board, has contributed in an outstanding way to the field of cosmetic surgery, regardless of prior membership in the Academy.
Honorary Fellows are not corporate members of the Academy and therefore do not enjoy the rights of corporate members including, but not limited to, the right to vote, be eligible for elective offices, or to inspect the Academy's books and records. Honorary Fellows may attend Academy meetings and other functions, but may not participate in discussions at such meetings. Honorary Fellows shall have such membership rights and responsibilities as established by the Board from time to time. Honorary Fellows shall not be obligated to pay any membership dues or assessments, but shall be obligated to observe the Academy Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and its policies and procedures.
Apply Online
Documentation Required
