Natasha Singer writes for the NYT:
Professional medical societies advise would-be patients to check the Web sites of state medical boards to verify that the doctors they consult are licensed. In addition patients seeking cosmetic procedures are advised to contact medical boards to see that doctors are board certified in dermatology or plastic surgery. "People are so anxious to have beauty procedures that they spend less time investigating the practitioner than they would spend researching a new car or a piece of jewelry," said Dr. Michael D. Storch, a plastic surgeon in Miami. "A recommendation from a friend, a neighbor or a hairdresser is not more important than a state license."