Associate Fellows who are interested in pursuing the next level of American College of Surgeons (ACS) membership and who meet the criteria for Fellowship are encouraged to start the application process now. Applications for induction into Fellowship at the ACS Clinical Congress 2019 in San Francisco, CA, are due December 1, 2018.
The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon’s name mean that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.
Criteria for Fellowship
Domestic applicants for Fellowship (U.S. and Canada) must have been in practice for at least one year and be board certified. A full list of the requirements can be accessed on the ACS website. Requirements for International Fellowship are also available online.
Associate Fellows who are up-to-date with their membership dues may apply online at no cost by visiting the ACS website and clicking on the link to complete either the Fellow or International Fellow application. You will need your log-in information to access the application. If you do not have your log-in information, contact the ACS Division of Member Services at 800-293-9623 or via e-mail.
The application requests basic information regarding education, training, licensure, certification, and hospital affiliations. Much of the information from your Associate Fellow membership application will auto-populate into the application for Fellowship. Applicants also are asked to provide the names of five Fellows of the College (three for International applicants), preferably from their current practice location, to serve as references. Applicants do not need to request letters of recommendation; simply list the names in your application, and the College staff will contact your references.
If you need assistance finding ACS Fellows in your area, go to the ACS website and click on the “Find a Surgeon” button.
When your application is processed, you will receive an e-mail notification providing details about the application timeline along with a request for your surgical case list.
All Fellowship applicants are required to participate in a personal interview by an ACS committee in their area. Exceptions are made for military applicants. Following the interview, you will receive notification by July 15, 2019, of the action taken on your application. Approved applicants are designated as Initiates to be inducted as Fellows during the Convocation Ceremony at the Clinical Congress.
Contact Member Services with questions at any time throughout the application process. We look forward to you becoming a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
