What Defines a Board Certified Dermatologist?
Important credentials and certifications to look for.
- Completed four years of studies in an accredited medical school, one year of internship, and three years residency training in DERMATOLOGY at an ACGME accredited program
- Passed the rigorous board exams given by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
- Required to keep up with the medical advances and knowledge through continuing medical education courses, meetings, and studies.
- ALL board certified dermatologists are tested regularly by either
- Taking a board exam every 10 years, or
- Participating in ongoing self-assessment exams monitored by their certifying board.
Beware of terms that may be used to mislead the general public:
- “Board certified skin specialist”
- Board certification is a credentialing agency that evaluates the physician’s knowledge and skills to practice safely and effectively in a particular specialty.
- Ask which specialty your provider is board certified in before you make your appointment.
- For example, a physician can be board certified in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, or Internal Medicine and practice as a “skin specialist” which does NOT equate to the rigorous training and immense dermatologic knowledge of a board certified dermatologist
All CalDerm members are board certified dermatologists. To search for one near you, check our our "Find a Derm" directory.