Critical Warning
Colombia has no legal restrictions on who can perform cosmetic surgery. Any licensed doctor—or even unlicensed practitioners—can legally operate. Credential verification is YOUR responsibility. Don't assume someone advertising as a "plastic surgeon" is actually board-certified.
What This Guide Covers
SCCP Certification (Non-Negotiable)
What SCCP Means
Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reconstructiva — The Colombian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery.
This is the ONLY credential that confirms a surgeon has completed proper plastic surgery training in Colombia. It's equivalent to board certification in the United States.
What SCCP Certification Requires
- 6–7 years of medical school
- 4–5 year plastic surgery residency at an accredited program
- Written and practical certification exams
- Ongoing continuing medical education
- Peer review and ethics compliance
How to Verify SCCP
Go to: cirugiaplastica.org.co/buscar-cirujano/
Search by name or city. If a surgeon isn't listed, they're NOT SCCP-certified. No exceptions. No "pending" status. Either they're members or they're not.
RETHUS Registration
What It Is
Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud — The national registry of healthcare professionals in Colombia.
RETHUS confirms someone is a licensed medical professional, but NOT that they're a plastic surgeon. A general practitioner has RETHUS. A dermatologist has RETHUS. A dentist has RETHUS. RETHUS alone is NOT sufficient.
RETHUS Verification
Go to: rfrethus.minsalud.gov.co/public
Enter the surgeon's full name or ID number. Check that their listed specialty includes plastic surgery. RETHUS confirms the specialty is registered with the government.
International Credentials
ISAPS Membership
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — The largest international organization for board-certified plastic surgeons.
ISAPS requires members to already be board-certified in their country. It's an additional credential showing international recognition and commitment to aesthetic surgery specifically.
Verify: isaps.org/member-search
ASPS Membership
American Society of Plastic Surgeons — US-based organization that accepts qualified international members.
International ASPS members must meet rigorous standards. This indicates a surgeon meets American standards even though they practice abroad.
Verify: plasticsurgery.org/find-a-plastic-surgeon
FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons)
Honorary designation showing peer recognition and ethical compliance. Requires board certification plus additional evaluation.
Not required, but indicates a surgeon who has sought international peer review and recognition.
Facility Accreditation
A great surgeon in a substandard facility is still dangerous. Verify where surgery will be performed:
JCI Accreditation (Gold Standard)
Joint Commission International — The same organization that accredits US hospitals. Facilities include: Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Clínica las Américas AUNA, InterQuirófanos
ICONTEC Accreditation
Colombian national accreditation body. Respected domestically, though not as internationally recognized as JCI.
Habilitación
Basic government authorization to operate. Minimum requirement—not a quality indicator, just legal permission to exist.
Step-by-Step Verification Process
Your Verification Checklist
- 1. SCCP Search: cirugiaplastica.org.co/buscar-cirujano/ — Must be listed
- 2. RETHUS Check: rfrethus.minsalud.gov.co/public — Confirm specialty
- 3. ISAPS (optional): isaps.org/member-search — Bonus credential
- 4. Facility verification: Ask for facility name, check JCI or ICONTEC status
- 5. Google their name: Look for news, lawsuits, complaints
- 6. Check reviews: Google, RealSelf, Reddit — look for patterns
Red Flags
- ✗ Not findable on SCCP website
- ✗ Claims "certification pending" or "in process"
- ✗ Can't or won't name the surgical facility
- ✗ Operating room behind salon or in residential building
- ✗ Gets defensive when asked about credentials
- ✗ Title is "cosmetic surgeon" not "plastic surgeon"