Criteria for Fellowship
To encourage the transition from Associate Fellow to Fellow, Associate Fellowship is limited to surgeons who have been in practice less than six years.
The basic Fellowship requirements for U.S. and Canadian Fellowship are as follows:
- Certification by an appropriate American Board of Medical Specialties surgical specialty board, an American Osteopathic Association surgical specialty board, or the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada
- One year of surgical practice after the completion of all formal training (including fellowships)
- A current appointment at a primary hospital with no reportable action pending
A full list of the requirements for North American applicants can be accessed on the ACS website. The list of requirements for International Fellowship is also available online.
Associate Fellows who are current with their membership dues may apply online for free by visiting the informational web page and clicking on the link for either Fellow or International Fellow. You will need your login information to access the application. If you do not have your login information, contact the College’s Member Services staff at 800-293-9623 or at facsapplications@facs.org.
The application requests basic information regarding licensure, certification, education, and hospital affiliations. 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 local area. Exceptions are made for military applicants. Following the interview, you will receive notification by July 15 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.
