Fellows (US and Canada)

The application deadline is December 1, 2025, for induction in October 2026.

How to Become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)

Becoming a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons is a significant milestone in your surgical career. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

To apply for Fellowship, you must:

Be in surgical practice in the US or Canada for at least 1 year.
Be board certified by:

An ABMS surgical board
A Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada specialty board

Hold your current surgical appointment for a minimum of 12 consecutive months in the same location.
Hold a full, unrestricted medical license with no pending adverse actions in your country.

Do you practice outside the US or Canada? Visit the International Fellows page.

Step 2: Do You Need a Waiver?

You must request a waiver before applying if you fall into any of the following. The waiver deadline is October 1.

You were internationally trained and lack US board certification

A letter requesting the petition for waiver explaining your circumstances and why you warrant it
Documentation of completion of residency training and any fellowships
Documentation of international board certification or equivalent
Three letters of recommendation from Fellows of the College that address the quality of your training and practice
A 12-month list of your surgical cases
A copy of your current CV

All documents should be submitted at the same time. Submit your Petition of Waiver.

You are a dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon without ABMS certification

A copy of your DDS or DMD degree
Documentation of your MD degree from a medical school
Documentation of your diplomat status with the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Documentation confirming that you have completed 1 year in an ACGME accredited general surgery program
A copy of your medical license
Three letters of recommendation from Fellows of the College that address the quality of your training and practice as a surgeon
A current 12-month list of your major surgical cases listed by date and case. Do not unbundle the procedures within each case.
A copy of your current CV

All documents should be submitted at the same time. Submit your Petition of Waiver.

You are a single-degree (DDS/DMD) oral and maxillofacial surgeon

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and the ACS have worked together to establish a pathway that allows eligible, single-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeons to apply for ACS Fellowship.

Begin with AAOMS: If you're an AAOMS Fellow and interested in applying, start the process through the AAOMS website. You’ll need your AAOMS ID number to log in.
Request a Waiver (if applicable): If you need a waiver, submit a petition. The Director of the Division of Member Services will review your request.
Watch for Email Notification: If your waiver is approved, you’ll receive an email with instructions to proceed with the ACS Fellowship application.
Complete Your Application: Approval of a waiver does not guarantee Fellowship. Your full application will be reviewed under ACS’s standard evaluation process.

For complete details and requirements, visit the AAOMS Fellowship page.

Step 3: Gather What You’ll Need

Have the following ready before starting your application:

Personal and Professional Information

Medical school and residency details
Additional surgical training

Licensing and Certification

Medical license number, state, and issue/expiration dates
Certification board name, certificate number, and initial certification date

Hospital Appointment

Details of your current surgical staff position

References

Three professional references:

Two must be current ACS Fellows
One must be your chief of surgery
Get verbal confirmation from all references before listing them

Supporting Documents

Current CV (PDF format)
Surgical case list from the past 12 months

Get more details about each requirement.

Step 4: Create or Log Into Your ACS Account

To apply, you’ll need an ACS account.

Already have one? Log in.
Don’t remember your login? Use:

New user? Create an account.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Once submitted:

You'll become an Associate Fellow (you may not use “FACS” yet)
ACS will contact you to:

Submit any missing documents
Schedule a local committee interview (held between March and May)

Important: You cannot proceed to the interview if your documentation or references are incomplete.

Step 6: Application Timeline and Fees

Application Fee

$200
Free for current dues-paying ACS members (e.g., Associate Fellows)

Annual Dues

US: $742
Canada: $527

Initiate Fee

$500 (charged once approved as an Initiate)

Approval and Induction

Applicants are approved in July
New Fellows are inducted at the Clinical Congress in October

Have Questions or Need Help?

Email: facsapplications@facs.org
Call: 1-800-293-9623