SCCP Certification Explained: How to Verify Colombian Surgeons Are Board-Certified
SCCP certification is Colombia's highest credential for plastic and cosmetic surgeons. It's equivalent to ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) in the US—and some argue more rigorous because SCCP training extends longer.
SCCP: Colombia's Plastic Surgery Board
The Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica (SCCP) is an independent, non-profit medical organization that certifies plastic surgeons in Colombia. To become SCCP-certified, a surgeon must:
- Complete medical school (6 years in Colombia)
- Complete a plastic surgery residency (5–7 years in an accredited program)
- Complete 2–3 additional years of cosmetic surgery fellowship (many abroad: Johns Hopkins, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic)
- Pass rigorous written and oral board exams
- Maintain continuing medical education and ethical standards
Total training: 13–16 years from high school to SCCP certification.
How to Verify SCCP Certification
Do NOT rely on clinic marketing claims. Verify directly:
- Visit sccp.org.co (official SCCP website)
- Use their "Directorio de Cirujanos" (surgeon directory)
- Search the surgeon's full name
- Confirm registration number and certification date
- Note any subspecialties (cosmetic surgery, body contouring, face lifts, etc.)
If the surgeon doesn't appear in the SCCP directory, they are not SCCP-certified. This is a red flag—not necessarily disqualifying, but it means they lack Colombia's highest credential.
SCCP vs ABPS: The Comparison
SCCP and ABPS are equivalent in rigor. Key differences:
- SCCP: 5–7 year residency + 2–3 year fellowship = 7–10 years specialty training
- ABPS: 5 year residency + variable fellowship = 5–6 years specialty training
- SCCP exams: Oral exam with peer surgeons present (higher stakes)
- ABPS exams: Written + oral, offered multiple times per year
A surgeon trained in the US and board-certified by ABPS is equally credible as a Colombian SCCP surgeon. The key is that both have undergone extensive, supervised training and passed rigorous examinations.
Red Flags
- Surgeon claims SCCP but is not in the directory
- Clinic vaguely references "board-certified" without specifying SCCP, ABPS, or another body
- Surgeon has only 2–3 years of practice after medical school (insufficient training)
- Surgeon claims multiple specialties (cosmetic + orthopedic + general surgery) without clear fellowship track record
FAQ: Is SCCP Required?
A: No. A well-trained surgeon with 10+ years of cosmetic surgery experience might not be SCCP-certified if they trained abroad. But SCCP certification is the fastest, most reliable proof of competence. If a surgeon IS SCCP-certified, you've verified formal training and board passage. If they're NOT, you need other verification (gallery analysis, complication rates, peer references).
Bottom line: Check sccp.org.co directly. SCCP certification is your fastest path to verifying a surgeon's training and credentials.
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