Advanced Trauma Life Support

ATLS at a Glance

Need

Injury is precipitous and indiscriminate
The clinician who first attends to the injured patient has the greatest opportunity to impact outcome
The price of injury is excessive in dollars as well as human suffering

Program

CME program developed by the ACS Committee on Trauma
One safe, reliable method for assessing and initially managing the trauma patient
Updated in 2025 to reflect best practices and integrate important concepts such as team dynamics and communicating serious news with family of trauma patients.

Benefits

An organized approach for evaluation and management of seriously injured patients
A foundation of common knowledge for all members of the trauma team
Applicable in both large urban centers and small rural emergency departments

Objectives

Assess a patient's condition rapidly and accurately using a standard algorithm.
Recognize, prioritize, and manage life-threatening injuries.
Determine whether the specific management needs exceed the resources of a facility and/or the capability of a clinician.
Promote effective teamwork, trauma-informed care, clear communication, and injury prevention.

Find Your Course

Click on the course link for registration and contact information.

Program	Course	Max CME Credit	Date	Length	Location or Facility	City	State	Country
[M] indicates that a course is being held at a military facility

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ATLS 50th Anniversary

Share Your ATLS Story

Share your reflections, stories, photos, and videos to help commemorate 50 years of ATLS ® and honor the educators, champions, and patients who shaped its global impact. Submit your story ideas today and join us in celebrating the enduring legacy of ATLS in strengthening trauma systems and advancing patient care worldwide.

Trauma Education

ATLS Global Symposium

Join trauma care leaders, educators, clinicians, and innovators from around the world for the 2026 ATLS Global Symposium March 13–15, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama, as we celebrate and explore the next era of Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®).

New Edition Available

Trauma Evaluation and Management Course

The American College of Surgeons has launched a modernized version of its highly popular Trauma Evaluation and Management (TEAM)™ course—TEAM 4th edition. Easily integrated into various practice environments, the 4th edition includes up-to-date findings and best practices and is available in English and Spanish.

ATLS Is Global

More than half of all ATLS activity is conducted outside the US and Canada. For information about starting an ATLS program in a new country, please review the documents below.

Promulgation Policy Request Form