SAGES is excited to offer the ACT Seal in Advanced Flexible Endoscopy as a recognition program available to a broad group of fellows. This recognition level verifies that fellows have successfully completed their training and have met the Fellowship Council-endorsed Advanced Flexible Endoscopy criteria. Having the ACT seal attached to a Fellowship Certificate will verify the surgeon has special qualifications in Advanced Flexible Endoscopy.

Receiving the ACT Seal can attest to the recipient’s flexible endoscopy experience to future employers. It may also help with privileging, as no national standard currently exists. In addition, this certification markets their advanced training and skills to patients, hospitals, and referring physicians.

The ACT seal will only be available to fellows in Fellowship Council-accredited programs, and the fellow MUST apply and qualify for the society certificate affiliated with their program’s fellowship designation. The ACT seal is designed to be affixed to the sponsoring society’s certificate. Applicants have one year – from the end of their fellowship or from Board Certification, whichever comes first – to upload or confirm all requirements.

Advanced Flexible Endoscopy ACT Seal Criteria

1. Society Certification: Proof of society certification affiliated with the program’s fellowship designation
2. EPAs (See list below) – by July 31, 2025
   1. Must cover educational content of EPAs 1 and 2
   2. Must cover educational content of 3 of the remaining EPAs
3. Case Volume – by July 31, 2025
4. 75 total cases in flexible endoscopy
5. Minimum of 30 therapeutic cases
6. Program Director’s online survey: an invitation will be sent to the Program Director once the application has been received
7. FES & FUSE Certification mandatory

The Flexible Endoscopy EPAs include:

1. Sedate and monitor patient for a flexible endoscopic procedure
2. Endoscopy in the patient with altered GI tract anatomy
3. Evaluation and management the patient requiring advanced tissue resection/transection/ablation
4. Evaluation and management of obstructing or eroding GI tract processes
5. Evaluation and management of GI tract bleeding
6. Evaluation and management of partial and full thickness defects
7. 3rd space endoscopy/translumenal endoscopy
8. Evaluation and management of pancreaticobiliary diseases
9. Evaluation and management of patients needing complex endoscopic enteral access
10. Evaluation and endoscopic management of the patient with gastroesophageal reflux