Choosing a dermatologist comes down to a few checks you can do in minutes: the doctor’s training, who will actually treat you, their experience with your problem, and whether the office fits your insurance and schedule.<\/p>\n
Dermatologists train for more than a decade. After college and four years of medical school, they complete a year-long internship and three years of residency in dermatology, with 12,000 to 16,000 hours of treating patients.<\/p>\n
Be careful with the words “board certified,” because there are many types of boards and certifications. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to look for one of these:<\/p>\n
You can check for yourself at no cost. The American Board of Dermatology’s Dermatologist Search Tool<\/a> shows whether a doctor is certified by that board. The AAD’s Find a Dermatologist<\/a> tool lets you search by location, condition and procedure.<\/p>\n To look up a physician’s medical license and any actions taken by a medical board, use DocInfo.org<\/a> from the Federation of State Medical Boards, or your state medical board’s website.<\/p>\n Many dermatology offices have more than one kind of clinician.<\/p>\n PAs and NPs train differently from a dermatology residency, so when you book, it is fair to ask who you will see and whether you can see the dermatologist.<\/p>\n Some dermatologists complete additional fellowship training in a particular area. The American Board of Dermatology offers subspecialty certification in dermatopathology, micrographic dermatologic surgery (Mohs surgery) and pediatric dermatology.<\/p>\n The AAD says your results depend largely on the skill and experience of the person performing the procedure. Questions it suggests asking:<\/p>\n Cosmetic procedures, such as treatment for wrinkles, usually are not covered by insurance.<\/p>\n Browse Top Dermatology by state and city<\/a> to compare dermatology providers near you. Many listings are compiled from public records and have not been verified by the provider, so confirm details with the office before you book.<\/p>\n What does FAAD mean?<\/strong> FAAD stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. It tells you the dermatologist is board certified.<\/p>\n How long does a dermatologist train?<\/strong> More than a decade, including four years of college, four years of medical school, a year-long internship and three years of dermatology residency.<\/p>\n How do I check if a dermatologist is board certified?<\/strong> Use the American Board of Dermatology’s Dermatologist Search Tool. If the doctor is not listed, the doctor may be certified by another board, and the board suggests checking the American Board of Medical Specialties’ Certification Matters<\/a> website.<\/p>\n Is a PA or NP the same as a dermatologist?<\/strong> No. PAs and NPs are licensed clinicians, but their training is different from the medical school and dermatology residency a dermatologist completes.<\/p>\n How to check a dermatologist’s board certification, what FAAD, MD, DO, PA and NP mean, what to ask before you book, and how to find the right fit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-choosing-a-doctor"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t2. Ask who will actually treat you<\/h2>\n
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3. Match the doctor to the problem<\/h2>\n
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4. For cosmetic treatments, ask more<\/h2>\n
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5. Check the practical fit<\/h2>\n
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Questions to ask when you call<\/h2>\n
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Find a dermatologist near you<\/h2>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Sources<\/h2>\n
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