Elective Cosmetic Surgery Permits - Licensed Dentists

Business and Professions Code, Section 1638.1, states a person licensed pursuant to Section 1634 who wishes to perform elective facial cosmetic surgery shall first apply for and receive a permit to perform elective facial cosmetic surgery from the board.

Applying for an Elective Cosmetic Surgery Permit

The primary requirements for a permit to perform Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery are defined in Business and Professions Code, Section 1638.1.

The Committee recommends that the applicant first choose either Pathway A or Pathway B by which the application is being made.

Pathway A: The requirements for an Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit include, but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. Proof of successful completion of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
  3. Proof of certification, or a candidate for certification, by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
  4. A letter from the program director of the accredited residency program, or from the director of a post residency fellowship program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association stating that the licensee has the education, training, and competence necessary to perform the surgical procedures that the licensee has notified the board he or she intends to perform.
  5. Submit to the board of at least 10 operative reports from residency training or proctored procedures that are representative of procedures that the licensee intends to perform. The Committee recommends that you submit no more than 30 operative reports. Applicants may request that their permit be limited to specific categories of procedures (Category I and/or II), as specified on the application. As a result, operative reports submitted should be reflective and supportive of the permit category for which the applicant is applying. In addition, operative reports should be clear and dark enough to be reproduced. The Committee recommends that the applicant organize the reports submitted, grouping the procedures by category I and category II and provide the Committee with an index of the reports. A sample index is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.
  6. Documentation showing the surgical privileges the applicant possesses at any licensed general acute care hospital and any licensed outpatient surgical facility in this state.
  7. Proof that the applicant is on active status on the staff of a general acute care hospital and maintains the necessary privileges based on the bylaws of the hospital to maintain that status.
  8. An application fee of $850.00.

Pathway B: The requirements for an Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit include, but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. Proof of successful completion of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
  3. Submit to the board of at least 10 operative reports from residency training or proctored procedures that are representative of procedures that the licensee intends to perform. The Committee recommends that you submit no more than 30 operative reports. Applicants may request that their permit be limited to specific categories of procedures (Category I and/or II), as specified on the application. As a result, operative reports submitted should be reflective and supportive of the permit category for which the applicant is applying. In addition, operative reports should be clear and dark enough to be reproduced. The Committee recommends that the applicant organize the reports submitted, grouping the procedures by category I and category II and provide the Committee with an index of the reports. A sample index is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.
  4. Proof that the applicant has been granted privileges by the medical staff at a licensed general acute care hospital to perform the surgical procedures [cosmetic contouring of the osteocartilaginous facial structure, which may include, but is not limited to, rhinoplasty and otoplasty and/or cosmetic soft tissue contouring or rejuvenation, which may include, but is not limited to, facelift, blepharoplasty, facial skin resurfacing, or lip augmentation], at that hospital.
  5. Proof that the applicant is on active status on the staff of a general acute care hospital and maintains the necessary privileges based on the bylaws of the hospital to maintain that status.
  6. An application fee of $850.00.

Renewing your Permit

An Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit expires when the permitholder license expires and must be renewed every two years. Every six years, prior to renewal of the permitholder's license and permit, the permitholder shall submit evidence acceptable to the credentialing committee that the permitholder has maintained continued competence to perform the procedures authorized by the permit.

PERMIT HOLDERS HOLDING A LIMITED ELECTIVE FACIAL COSMETIC SURGERY (EFCS) PERMIT AND WANTING TO UPGRADE PRIVILEGES TO UNLIMITED.

The requirements to upgrade a limited Elective Facial Cosmetic Surgery Permit to an unlimited permit include, but may not be limited to submitting the following documentation:

  1. A completed application.
  2. Submit to the board of at least 10 operative reports from residency training or proctored procedures that are representative of procedures that the licensee intends to perform. The Committee recommends that you submit no more than 30 operative reports. Applicants seeking an unlimited permit should submit operative reports that are reflective and supportive of the permit category for which the applicant is applying. In addition, operative reports should be clear and dark enough to be reproduced. The Committee recommends that the applicant organize the reports submitted, grouping the procedures by category I and category II and provide the Committee with an index of the reports. A sample index is available. Submitting the operative reports in an organized way will ensure the application process moves along quickly.
  3. An application fee of $850.00.

If the Committee grants a new unlimited permit, the permit holder’s prior limited permit number will be cancelled and a new permit number will be issued.

For more information, call (916) 263-2300 or email dentalboard@dca.ca.gov