Examination Application
- All candidates must submit a signed examination application (page four of the .PDF file) and include the following:
- Applicant shall submit two current passport type photographs.
- Applicant must submit a photocopy of current valid M.D. or D. O. License in good standing from the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction of the applicant's practice.
- Applicant must submit evidence of current and valid Basic Life Support with External Defibrillator (BLS/ED) certification.
- An applicant must submit two (2) reference letters from physicians who belong to any of the following three (3) Hair Restoration Societies:
- ISHRS
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery;
- ASHRS
American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery;
- AAFPRS
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Reference letters are acceptable from past and current members of the Board of Directors or the Examination Committee.
- An applicant must submit a current copy of his or her curriculum vitae.
- An applicant shall provide a physician profile ordered by applicant from the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association. (Please note, it may take as long as thirty (30) days to receive this form from the AMA or the AOA.)
- An applicant must submit a non-refundable application fee of Three Hundred and No/Hundred ($300.00) U.S. Dollars payable to the ABHRS.
Please submit a photo copy of current, valid M.D. or D.O. License, in good standing, from the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction of applicant's practice.
- Applicants must meet the criteria of one of the following three routes to certification.
- EXPERIENCE ROUTE
- Applicant must document proof of three years of experience in private practice of hair restoration surgeries (an affidavit to this effect will satisfy this requirement);
- Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of one hundred (100) hair restoration cases underlining the type of hair restoration surgery procedures performed within the past three (3) years;
- Applicants for certification must submit fifty (50) documented Operative Reports with applicant noted as primary surgeon of which five (5) are complete and include before and after photos with full case reports that demonstrate satisfactory results. The photos must show the top, side, face and vertex views. One (1) copy of before and after, clearly marked photos of each patient in the five (5) cases selected must be submitted. 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. The photos need to be 4x6 inches or larger and must be submitted on glossy or matte photo paper. Slides and prints on plain paper will not be accepted. Photos must be clearly marked as to how many sessions have been performed and the time since the last session. 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, and uniform and constant proper illumination consistent in the before and after photographs.
- Application must submit evidence and completion of sixty (60) CME credit hours over the past three (3) years.
- FELLOWSHIP ROUTE
- Applicant must have completed a one (1) year approved fellowship in hair restoration surgery, which includes completion of one hundred (100) hair restoration surgery cases as an assistant surgeon in a program recognized by: ISHRS International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
- Applicant must furnish proof of a successful completion of fellowship.
- Applicant must document proof of one (1) year experience in private practice and hair restoration surgery (an affidavit to this effect will satisfy this agreement).
- Applicant must submit case logs documenting completion of a minimum of fifty (50) hair restoration cases indicating the type of hair restoration surgery procedures performed during the minimum one (1) year period following successful completion of said hair restoration surgery fellowship.
- Applicants for certification must submit fifty (50) documented Operative Reports with applicant noted as primary surgeon of which five (5) are complete and include before and after photos with full case reports that demonstrate satisfactory results. The photos must show the top, side, face and vertex views. One (1) copy of before and after, clearly marked photos of each patient in the five (5) cases selected must be submitted. 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. The photos need to be 4x6 inches or larger and must be submitted on glossy or matte photo paper. Slides and prints on plain paper will not be accepted. Photos must be clearly marked as to how many sessions have been performed and the time since the last session. 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, and uniform and constant proper illumination consistent in the before and after photographs.
- LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT ROUTE
- Applicant must submit a minimum of four hundred (400) case logs as primary surgeon indicating type of hair restoration surgery procedures performed over the course of applicant's career.
- Applicants for certification must submit fifty (50) documented Operative Reports with applicant noted as primary surgeon of which five (5) are complete and include before and after photos with full case reports that demonstrate satisfactory results. The photos must show the top, side, face and vertex views. One (1) copy of before and after, clearly marked photos of each patient in the five (5) cases selected must be submitted. 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. The photos need to be 4x6 inches or larger and must be submitted on glossy or matte photo paper. Slides and prints on plain paper will not be accepted. Photos must be clearly marked as to how many sessions have been performed and the time since the last session. 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, and uniform and constant proper illumination consistent in the before and after photographs.
Applicants who meet all of the criteria for one (1) of the above referenced routes whose application has been approved by the Credentialing Committee must pay an examination fee of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) US Dollars and successfully complete a written and oral examination covering general knowledge of hair restoration procedures.
The written and oral components must be successfully completed in the same year or within one (1) year of each other.
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:
- Applicant must submit proof of attendance of at least two (2) ISHRS annual meetings.
- Applicant must submit proof of attendance at either ABHRS and/or ISHRS endorsed programs consisting of a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of live surgery workshop. The live surgery workshop content must be reviewed and approved by the ABHRS.
- Applicant must submit a case log indicating completion of a minimum of twenty-five (25) hair restoration case procedures as a primary surgeon which indicates the type of procedure performed.
- Applicant must pay an examination fee of Seven Hundred Fifty ($750.00) US Dollars.
- Applicant must successfully pass the ABHRS written examination.
- An applicant who successfully meets the above criteria will receive a certificate of added qualification.
- An 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, the Fellowship Route or the Lifetime Achievement Route set forth above
PLEASE DOWNLOAD PDF (see the top of this page) AND SIGN THE STATEMENTS BELOW
I authorize the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (sometimes referred to as "ABHRS" or "Board") to make whatever inquiries and investigation it deems necessary to ascertain and verify my qualification, credentials, professional standing and moral or ethical character in order to judge my application. I acknowledge that the processing and consideration of my application will involve participation by numerous members of the Board and staff on behalf of the Board and agree that these activities shall not be considered to be a disclosure, production, inspection, nor dissemination by the people performing these tasks. I will not commence, bring or institute a proceeding, suit or action in any court or other tribunal or forum directed against or to the Board or any of its members or staff in any way concerning, pertaining to or arising out of the consideration, proceeding, rejection, deferment, acceptance or their handling of this application for membership in the Board or any of the inquiries or investigations conducted in connection therewith.
In making application for membership in the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery:
I agree to abide by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Board and by such rules and regulations as may be enacted from time to time, and to advance and extend the ideals and principles of the Board. Such Bylaws and regulations INCLUDE MANDATORY ANNUAL SUSTAINING DUES. Failure to pay may result in revocation of membership.
I pledge to pursue the practice of surgery with scientific honesty and to place the welfare of my patients above all else, to advance constantly in knowledge, and to render wiling help and teaching to my colleagues in medicine and seek their counsel when in doubt as to my own judgment.
Finally, I declare that on revocation or resignation of membership I shall return my membership certificate to the Board. If I fail to do so, I shall be responsible for all costs and expenses including reasonable attorneys fees incurred by the Board in recovering said certificate.
Please indicate any disability the ABHRS should be made aware of by submitting a brief letter of explanation.
