Frequently Asked Questions about SESAP 18

The most appropriate SESAP18 package for you depends on several factors. The first is whether you are eligible for continuing medical education (CME) credit and if you will need the CME credit before October 31, 2025. Individuals who are not CME-eligible may only purchase NonCME packages.

The second is whether you would like to purchase all nine categories or purchase by category. If you would like to receive a print version of the program, you must purchase all nine categories.

Visit the Order SESAP webpage for more information and a complete list of packages and pricing.

SESAP 18 consists of 665 newly constructed, case-based, multiple-choice questions with expanded critiques and supporting references. The questions address nine major content areas of general surgery: abdomen, alimentary tract, breast, emergency general surgery, endocrine, legal/ethics, perioperative care, surgical critical care, and trauma. Visit the SESAP 18 content webpage for a description of each category.

SESAP 18 Advanced will be launched in 2023 and features additional in-depth content for surgeons seeking further knowledge in specific areas. Modules in abdomen; alimentary tract; breast; emergency general surgery and trauma; endocrine; melanoma, sarcoma, and soft tissue and skin malignancies; and surgical critical care will address clinical problems and areas that are complex and may be ambiguous or still evolving.

If you purchase SESAP 18 by category, you may return later to purchase additional categories.

Purchases will be allowed through October 2025. Add categories online.

If you purchase all nine categories of SESAP 18 at once, you may return later to order a print copy. 

Add a print 

If you purchase SESAP 18 by category, you must purchase all categories before ordering a print copy. Please e-mail sesap@facs.org or call 312-202-5419 for assistance with this request. 

CME print copies of SESAP 18 are available to individuals who purchase all nine categories and select the CME with Print package. You must complete the online program before receiving the CME print. Once you claim all 168 CME credits, your print copy of SESAP 18 will automatically ship.

If you ordered the CME with Print package and do not plan on claiming all 168 CME credits, but wish to receive the print copy, please contact us at sesap@facs.org.

For NonCME packages, the print is shipped once all nine categories are purchased.

Residents can purchase a NonCME package of SESAP 18. CME credit is not available to residents through SESAP 18, and residents should purchase a NonCME package. Resident members of the American College of Surgeons may generate and email a Resident Report from the web program to document progress for Program Directors.

Membership in the American College of Surgeons is $20 annually for Resident Members and provides a substantial discount on SESAP18, along with other generous member benefits. To explore resident membership before purchasing, please visit the Resident Member webpage.

Nonmember residents in a surgical residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or equivalent program may also purchase SESAP 18 but must first submit a letter of verification from a program director or administrator. Nonmember residents may not order online. Please call 312-202-5419 for more information on the process for nonmember residents.

Visit the Order SESAP webpage for pricing and ordering information.

SESAP is designed for individual use only. Institutions may not purchase SESAP 18 for shared use, and multiple individuals may not use the same account.

You can retrieve your username and reset your password here.

If you are an ACS member, your SESAP 18 login information is the same as your ACS member login and password.

Once you have purchased SESAP 18, you may access the web program at sesap18.facs.org.

The web program of SESAP 18 is optimized for use on tablets and smartphones and includes the same content and features available for desktop computers.

SESAP 18 is compatible with Mac and PC desktop computers, as well as Apple and Android mobile devices. Please visit the SESAP Technical Requirements webpage for a complete list of technical specifications.

All CME credit for SESAP 18 must be claimed by October 31, 2025. Web access will be discontinued on December 31, 2025, when the edition will be retired.

Internet access is required to earn CME credit for SESAP 18. A print copy can be ordered for SESAP 18 and, for CME packages, the print will be shipped after all CME credit has been claimed. For NonCME packages, the print is shipped once all nine categories are purchased.

Participants can earn up to 168 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from SESAP 18, all of which can be used for self-assessment purposes.

To earn CME credit for SESAP 18, participants must purchase a CME Web version and complete the program online. Participants will be asked to read each question, select an answer, and review the corresponding critique and preferred answer. Participants will test their mastery of the content by answering the same questions in a scrambled fashion and must achieve a cumulative score of 80 percent within three attempts. If the score is less than 80 percent, the participant will be asked to review the questions answered incorrectly and answer those questions again until 80 percent is achieved. If a score of 80 percent is not achieved after the third attempt, the participant will be asked to start the section over again.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program.

For further information, visit About SESAP 18 CME.

Once you have successfully earned CME credit for a whole SESAP18 category, a “Claim” button will appear next to the category on your CME Credits dashboard. Clicking this button will initiate the CME claiming process and change the button to read “Claimed.” You must complete an evaluation form for each category to claim CME credit.

All subscribers can access SESAP 18 CME certificates in the following ways:

• After claiming CME credit, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Open the e-mail and click on the CME certificate link.
• While in the SESAP 18 program, go to the account menu and choose “CME Credits” or click “Print Certificate” from the CME Credits dashboard.

Additionally, ACS members may log in to facs.org. From the drop-down menu, select “MyCME,” select “Transcript,” and click “Printer Friendly Transcript.”

SESAP18 may help fulfill your state’s CME special regulatory requirements. Please visit CME State Requirements for a list of requirements by state.

Education Credits of Excellence are entirely optional and are designed to encourage further learning and to challenge surgeons who want to pursue a higher level of achievement. For each SESAP 18 category, surgeons who achieve a score of 100% on the first attempt of the CME Test will be recognized with Education Credits of Excellence for that category.

Surgeons are able and encouraged to study the items in the self-assessment portion as much as they wish prior to taking the CME Test. Those surgeons who achieve 100% on the first attempt of the CME Test for a category (or each part for categories with multiple parts) will receive a certificate for Education Credits of Excellence for that category. Education Credits of Excellence are being offered by the ACS Division of Education as supported by the ACS Board of Regents. Certificates for Education Credits of Excellence may be accessed in the SESAP 18 web program.