Advanced Trauma Life Support FAQs

All enrolled learners gain access to an interactive PDF of the student manual. Learners should contact their course coordinator if they would also like to receive a hard copy.

Any facility wishing to become an approved course site must submit a formal request to their State/Provincial Committee on Trauma (COT) chair and/or the American College of Surgeons for approval. New course sites must be formally approved prior to initiating courses. Contact the COT State/Provincial chair and/or traumaeducation@facs.org for an overview of site requirements and a copy of the on-site visit checklist.

ATLS Traditional Course*

• 2-day (16 CME: 16 Self-Assessment: 16 Trauma Regulatory Mandates)
• 5-day (16 CME: 16 Self-Assessment)

ATLS Hybrid Course*

• 1-day (30.25 CME: 20 Self-Assessment)
• 5-day (31.5 CME: 21 Self-Assessment)

ATLS Refresher Course*

• .5-day (5 CME: 5 Self-Assessment)
• 1-day (7.5 CME: 7.5 Self-Assessment)

ATLS Instructor Course*

• 1-day (8 CME: No Self-Assessment)
• 5-day (12 CME: No Self-Assessment
• 2-day (16.5 CME: No Self-Assessment)

*CME will only be granted upon successful completion of the course with a minimum post-test score of 75%.

ATLS verification status is current for four years from the date of completion of an ATLS Traditional, Hybrid or Refresher course. Providers have a six-month grace period after their status expires to take a Refresher course, However they are not considered ATLS verified during that time. Check with your institution to determine if you are required to be current with your ATLS verification.

Check with your coordinator. If your coordinator is unable to find your records please contact traumaeducation.org. Please keep in mind that any records older than 10-15 years may not be accessible.

Contact the coordinator for your course or traumaeducation@facs.org.

If you are identified as having instructor potential (IP) in an ATLS Traditional, Hybrid, or Refresher course you may take an ATLS Instructor Course. Upon successful completion of the ATLS Instructor Course, you will participate as an instructor candidate (IC) in an ATLS Traditional or Hybrid Course.  An ATLS course director or state faculty member will observe and critique you as you teach a lecture, skill station, and initial assessment station. Once you have successfully participated and obtained approval from the course director or state/ provincial chair you will then be elevated to an ATLS Instructor. 

If you were not previously determined to have IP designation you may request permission to take the Instructor course from the State/ Provincial Chair

ATLS faculty are defined as coordinators, instructors, course directors and educators and are verified for four-year terms. They must participate in four courses during the reverification period to remain verified

Use your login credentials to access the Course Management System (CMS) to view your verification status or contact the site coordinator. If you are unable to login contact traumaeducation@facs.org.

Contact the coordinator for your course or traumaeducation@facs.org.

ATLS Faculty manuals are only available to current ATLS faculty and are posted on the Resource section of the Course Management System. You may also contact the site coordinator of the location where you teach most of your courses.

The American College of Surgeons does not offer CME credits for faculty members teaching the ATLS course.

Go to the course listing site found here. Contact the site for current opportunities.

Becoming an ATLS Educator is a multi-step process which includes the submittal of the ATLS Educator Application and other materials. Please contact traumaeducation@facs.org if you are interested in becoming an ATLS Educator.

The role of an ATLS Educator is to share effective teaching methods with a focus on adult education principles with prospective ATLS instructors. The Educator works closely with the Course director in the delivery of the Instructor course.

ATLS Educators are required to teach at least four ATLS Instructor courses in a four-year period to remain verified in ATLS.

A list of ATLS staff members and the geographic areas they manage is available.