COVID‐19: ATLS Verification
Gaining access to COT Trauma Education courses and resources has been challenging in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic and that lack of access to courses has a reverberating effect in programs and hospitals. This page contains the latest information about ATLS Provider and Faculty status extensions, information for new Providers who require a current ATLS card but cannot locate a course, and guidelines for resuming and/or modifying courses. In addition, we have provided links to a variety of Trauma Education resources for health care providers.
ATLS Status Extensions
2020 Extensions
Early in the pandemic, the ATLS program made the following extensions:
- Providers and Faculty expiring between 7/1/2019 and 12/31/2019 (and in their grace periods at the onset of the pandemic): Extended to 12/31/2020. Providers and Faculty expiring in 2020: Extended by 1 calendar year from their original expiration date.
If you are an ATLS verified provider/faculty who falls into one of the categories above, you were automatically extended and a copy of your updated card is available from your local Site Coordinator or from the ACS ATLS office. ATLS Verified Faculty can log into the Faculty Portal to retrieve a digital copy of their card.
2021 Extensions
The following extensions will take effect January 1, 2021
- Providers expiring between 12/31/2020 and 12/31/2021 are eligible for a 1‐year extension upon completion of a mandatory Content Review.
- Faculty whose status now expires between 12/31/2020 and 12/31/2021 will receive an additional, automatic extension of one year. Updated Faculty Cards will be available through the Faculty Portal late January 2021.
Content Review
The Content Review consists of 14 scenario‐based questions. Providers will answer the question, and immediately receive feedback on whether the answer they chose was correct. There will be a discussion to read that further explains the concepts presented. Providers will have unlimited attempts to achieve a 100% score on the Content Review.
This requirement is to ensure ACS supports continued education and training during this pandemic, while access to ATLS courses may be limited. It also allows us to emphasize the changes made to the
program in the 10th Edition.
Providers will be automatically enrolled into the Review course in the month prior to their expiration date. An email will be sent by the ACS ATLS office with further instructions.
Providers who have not yet taken ATLS but require it for employment, residency, or Board examinations.
We continue to recommend a staged approach to training for these providers. They should attempt to register for an ATLS Hybrid Course in their area, which will provide immediate access to the mATLS online modules. To receive final ATLS verification status, Providers must complete the in‐ person component of the Course within 8 months of the online component. Please contact the ATLS
office for assistance locating a suitable course or for alternative solutions.