The application deadline is December 1 for induction in October 2025.
Join more than 6,500 surgeons from more than 130 countries around the world and become an International Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS strives to provide the best information and education on current surgical practice, patient safety, and quality. It has a network of more than 40 international chapters to support your surgical needs locally.
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.
In addition to the distinction of the FACS designation, International Fellows enjoy more than $500 in annual savings on these primary benefits of membership.
- Access to the Journal of the American College of Surgeons and other publications.
- Deep discounts on educational products and courses to support lifelong learning.
- Scholarship opportunities.
- Opportunities for engagement at the annual Clinical Congress, through your ACS Chapter, and through the online ACS Communities.
- Resources to support your patients.
To learn more about these and other benefits, please view the International Fellow Membership brochure.
Membership Requirements
Applicants for Fellowship must have been in an independent practice for a minimum of three-years (on or before December 1, 2020) and be board certified in your country. Canadian surgeons, please visit the Fellows page to apply. For more details, review the Fellowship Requirements. (These requirements are also available in Spanish.)
Application Process
Complete the online application for Fellowship in English. If you are an existing ACS member or created a log in from a prior purchase, use your log in to access the application. Otherwise you will need to create a log in.
Before you begin your application have the following information accessible:
- Information on your medical education, residency, and any surgical training beyond residency.
- Documentation of your medical license (in English).
- Documentation of your current surgical specialty board certification in your country (in English).
- The names of three Fellows of the College who can serve as references for you. Use the ACS Find a Surgeon tool for a list of ACS Fellows. To ensure a smooth application process, it is highly recommended you obtain verbal assurance from these individuals of their willingness to support you before submitting their names.
- A current Curriculum Vitae (PDF in English).
Once You Apply
- You'll become an Associate Fellow of the College while your application is being processed. (You cannot use the FACS designation in this category.) More details will be sent once you submit your application.
- The Fellowship application process can take up to one year.
- You will be contacted throughout the application process to:
- Provide any missing information and to update you on your application status.
- Participate in an interview by teams composed of either officers from your local ACS Chapter, your local ACS Governor, or appointees of the ACS International Relations Committee. Interviews are conducted in English. Please note. You cannot proceed to the interview stage if any documentation requested is outstanding and we have not received responses from your references.
Applicants are approved as Initiates in July and become Fellows at the Convocation Ceremony held at the annual Clinical Congress in October.
Initiates are charged an Initiate fee, based upon the World Bank income categories for each country.
For questions or to request your log in information, contact facsapplications@facs.org or call 1-800-293-9623.
