What does it mean if a psychiatrist is not board certified vs.being board certified?

If they ARE board certified, it means that not only do they have a medical degree, but that they have passed a test showing that they have mastered the basic skill level in a field of specialization. I would not expect my primary care doctor to be board certified (there is no specialty), but if I was seeing someone for a specific issue, I would make sure they were board certified. A person example is that a non board certified doctor recommended that I have surgery for sinus problems. In light of this recommendation, I found someone who was board certified for both a 2nd opinion and (in my case) to perform the surgery. What this means for you is get a 2nd opinion from someone who IS board cert in the specific area surgery is being recommended.