FOR PRACTICING PHYSICIANS
You didn’t train this hard
to spend your career burning out.
There’s a version of your career where you control the schedule, own the practice, and do work that is rewarding every day. The AACS Certified Fellowship is the structured, accredited way to get there — in one year.
or first assist
clinical training
Facial Cosmetic Surgery
across specialties
WHY PHYSICIANS MAKE THE SWITCH
A career that works for you — not against you.
Cosmetic surgery is one of the few specialties where you control your schedule, your patients, and your income. The AACS Fellowship is how established physicians make the transition the right way.
Own Your Schedule
No more overnight calls, weekend shifts, or hospital politics. Cosmetic surgery is elective — you set the calendar, you control the pace.
A More Rewarding Practice
Elective procedures, direct-pay patients, no insurance battles. Cosmetic surgery runs on a fundamentally different model — and a more lucrative one.
It’s Not Too Late
The AACS Fellowship is open to practicing physicians regardless of how long ago you completed residency. Your experience is the foundation — this builds on it.
WHAT THE FELLOWSHIP GIVES YOU
300+ procedures. 12 months. A completely different career.
Building cosmetic surgery case volume on your own takes years and carries risk. The fellowship compresses that into one structured year — supervised,
accredited, and with a credential at the end.
“If you are going to make this transition, this is the right way to make it.”
Testimonials from Fellows
PATH TO BOARD CERTIFICATION
The fellowship also opens the door to ABCS & ABFCS certification.
An AACS Certified Fellowship is the required first step toward board certification — through the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) for the General track, or the American Board of Facial Cosmetic surgery (ABFCS) for the Facial track. Many mid-career fellows pursue it on their own timeline after completing the program.
Qualifying Residency
Already completed. Your existing training counts.
AACS Certified Fellowship
One year of accredited cosmetic surgery training. Required for American Board of Cosmetic Surgery eligibility; not required for American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery, but is an approved path
ABCS or ABFCS Candidacy
Apply for candidacy with the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery after fellowship.
Board Certified
ABCS for General Cosmetic Surgery, or ABFCS for Facial Cosmetic Surgery — earned on your timeline.
ELIGIBILITY
Your specialty likely qualifies.
If you completed residency in a qualifying specialty — years ago or recently — you are eligible to apply. Board certification or eligibility is required.
General Cosmetic Surgery Track
Board certification through ABMS, AOA Bureau
of Osteopathic Specialists, or an ACGME-accredited program is required.
Facial Cosmetic Surgery Track
OMS applicants must have completed an accredited single or dual degree OMS/MD program with valid state medical and/or dental licenses.
2027 FELLOWSHIP MATCH
The match is open now.
Programs begin July 1 each year. If you’re considering the switch, these are the dates that matter.
January 1, 2026
Applications for July 2027 fellowship positions are open and being accepted.
March 1, 2026
Applications in by this date go in the first review batch. Earlier applications get more consideration.
May 15, 2026
Final cutoff for all applications. Fellowship begins July 1, 2027.
If not now, when?
The physicians who make this transition don’t wait for the perfect
moment. They apply, complete the fellowship, and build the career
they actually want. The final deadline is May 15, 2026.
AACS
Testimonials from Fellows