How To Choose a Dermatologist: What Board Certified Means
Parents of teens with acne often wonder how to choose a dermatologist. One place to start is by confirming that the dermatologist has top-notch certifications.
Board certified means that your dermatologist has passed their board exams and has both the knowledge and skills to treat patients.
One place to check certification is the dermatologist’s website. Look for the initials “FAAD” after their name, which stands for “Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.” To qualify for registration with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a dermatologist has to complete both college and medical school as either a medical doctor (MD) or as a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).
Your dermatologist may also be certified by the American Board of Dermatology or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.1
References:
1.AAD. How to select a dermatologist. Accessed March 8, 2022. https://www.aad.org/public/fad/how-to-select-a-derm