The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Program is an educational module and assessment tool to evaluate the fundamental knowledge, clinical judgment and technical skills required in the performance of basic laparoscopy. Over 5,000 certificates have been issued for successful completion since 2004.
FLS is now widely utilized to better ensure surgeons possess relevant laparoscopic knowledge and skills needed for modern surgical practice. Reflecting the realities of rapid changes in research and technology impacting the realm of knowledge, as well as the potential for degradation of psychomotor skills over time, the FLS Program is instituting a certificate time limit.
Effective October 1, 2012, FLS no longer issues certificates that are valid indefinitely; instead, all certificates will be dated and individuals must be recertified every 10 years by successful completion of the entire test (both cognitive and skills components).
- For certificates issued October 1, 2012 or later, recertification is required no later then ten years from the original certificate issue date, but recertification may be sought as early as seven years from the original certificate issue date.
- For certificates issued prior to October 1, 2012, recertification mus be completed by October 1, 2022, regardless of the original certificate issue date. Individuals may initiate the recertification process as early as seven years from the original certificate issue date.
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For more information, please contact Inga Brissman at 310-437-0544, ext. 131.
