Become a Board-certified
Mohs Surgeon
Mohs stands for Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
It is named after Frederic E. Mohs, the surgeon who developed the technique in the 1930s.
All Mohs surgeons are dermatologists first, but not all dermatologists are Mohs surgeons.
Board-certified Dermatologist First
A board-certified dermatologist is a physician who:
- Completed medical school
- Completed a 3–4 year dermatology residency
- Passed rigorous exams by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)
They are trained to diagnose and treat:
- Skin, hair, and nail diseases
- Acne, eczema, psoriasis
- Skin cancer (diagnosis, biopsies, and many surgical treatments)
- Cosmetic dermatology (Botox, fillers, lasers), if they pursue that
Mohs Surgeon (Mohs Micrographic Surgeon)
A Mohs surgeon is a board-certified dermatologist with additional specialized training who:
- Completed a 1–2 year fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery
- Focuses almost exclusively on skin cancer surgery, especially:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Is trained to:
- Remove skin cancer layer by layer
- Examine tissue under the microscope in real time
- Preserve as much healthy skin as possible
- Perform complex facial reconstructions
Subspecialty Board Certification Exam
After fellowship, the physician must pass the Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon (MDS) Subspecialty Exam, administered by:
- American Board of Dermatology (offering Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS) subspecialty since 2021)
- Ongoing Commitment to Excellence: Maintaining board certification requires ongoing education, skill assessment, and participation in activities that ensure the surgeon remains up-to-date with the latest advancements in Mohs surgery.
Once passed → They are officially a Board-certified Mohs Surgeon.
Become a Board-certified Dermatopathologist
A Dermatopathologist is a physician specially trained to diagnose skin diseases by examining tissue under a microscope. This requires extensive medical training beyond medical school.
Below is the standard pathway in the United States:
Medical School (4 Years)
Earn MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Residency Training (3–4 Years)
The physician must first complete residency in one of two or both specialties:
Option A: Dermatology Residency (3 Years)
Board certification through
American Board of Dermatology
OR (OR BOTH)
Option B: Pathology Residency (3–4 Years)
Board certification through
American Board of Pathology
After residency, the physician must complete a Dermatopathology Fellowship Program.
Dermatopathology Fellowship [1-2 Year(s)]
- A dedicated ACGME-accredited fellowship
- Intensive training in:
- Skin biopsies
- Melanoma diagnosis
- Inflammatory skin diseases
- Immunofluorescence
- Molecular testing
Subspecialty Board Certification Exam
After fellowship, the physician must pass the Dermatopathology Subspecialty Board Exam, jointly administered by:
- American Board of Dermatology
- American Board of Pathology
Once passed → They are officially a Board-certified Dermatopathologist.