Fellows (US and Canada)

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

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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.

Joining as a Fellow provides you with more than $1,000 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.
Opportunities for engagement at the annual Clinical Congress, Leadership & Advocacy Summit, Quality and Safety Conference, your local Chapter, and through the ACS Online Communities.
Resources to support your patients and your practice.
Advocacy that supports the interests of surgeons.
Members-only discount programs.

To learn more about these and other benefits, view the Fellow membership brochure.

Membership Requirements

Applicants for Fellowship must have been in practice for a minimum of one year and be board certified. International surgeons, please visit the International Fellows page to apply. For more details, review the Fellowship Requirements.

Waivers for ACS Fellowship

If you are an internationally trained surgeon practicing in the United States or Canada or an oral maxillofacial surgeon, you must request a waiver BEFORE you apply. Waivers must be received by October 1 of the current year.

Scenario 1: You are working in the U.S. or Canada but were internationally trained and do not have U.S. 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 to facsapplications@facs.org.

Scenario 2: You are a dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon without ABMS board certification.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons who do not meet the board certification requirement can petition for waiver by submitting the following documents to facsapplications@facs.org.

A letter requesting the petition for waiver explaining your circumstances and why you warrant it
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 one 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 to facsapplications@facs.org.

Scenario 3: 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-degreed oral and maxillofacial surgeons to apply for ACS Fellowship.

Interested AAOMS Fellows will be required to begin this process through the AAOMS and should visit the AAOMS website for more information. AAOMS Fellows will be required to use their ID number to login.

Petitions for waivers are reviewed by the Director of the Division of Member Services. If your petition is granted, you will be contacted via email and allowed to formally apply for Fellowship. Approval of the petition for waiver does not guarantee that you will be approved for Fellowship. Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed under the normal procedures for evaluating applicants for Fellowship.

Application Process

Complete the online Application for Fellowship. 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 about your medical education, residency, and any surgical training beyond residency.
Details about your medical license.
Certification by an American Surgical Specialty Board, which is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or an American Osteopathic Surgical Specialty Board, or an appropriate specialty certification by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.
A current appointment on the surgical staff of a hospital.
The names of three references, at least two must be active Fellows of the College, and one your chief of surgical services of your primary hospital. 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 (upload as a PDF).

Here's an outline of what you need to know when applying for ACS fellowship.

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Fees and Dues

Application Fee: $200
Application fee FREE for Associate Fellows

Annual Dues for US: $742 (due January 31)
Annual Dues for Canada: $527 (due January 31)
If your Fellowship has lapsed and you want to reinstate, contact dues@facs.org.

Regulations Pertaining to Fellowship Dues and Fees

Once You Apply

You'll become an Associate Fellow member 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 update you on your application status.
- Provide a 12-month list of your surgical cases (see additional instructions).
- Participate in an interview with a College committee in your local area. Please note. You cannot proceed to the interview stage if any documentation requested or your surgical list 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 a $500 fee.

For questions or to request your login information, contact facsapplications@facs.org or call 1-800-293-9623.