Accreditation

New ARC-STSA (formally the ARC-ST) Executive Director Appointed
The Board of Directors of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-ST) has announced the selection of Keith R Orloff, CST, FAST, as the next executive director. Click here for more information.

Below are frequently asked questions about accreditation. For additional information, please visit the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology web site:  www.arcst.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CAAHEP accreditation?
CAAHEP is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. It is the organization that grants accreditation to surgical technology programs.

What is ABHES accreditation?
ABHES is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. It is another organization that grants accreditation to the surgical technology programs.

How do I find out if a program is CAAHEP-accredited?
All CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology and surgical assisting programs are listed by state on the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) web site. You can also find a list on CAAHEP's web site.

ABHES-accredited programs are listed on ABHES's web site.

Students from CAAHEP-accredited surgical technologist and surgical assisting programs are eligible to take the NBSTSA national Certified Surgical Technologist examination and Certified First Assistant examination. Students from ABHES-accredited surgical technologist programs are eligible to take the NBSTSA national Certified Surgical Technologist examination.

Also, students must be currently attending a CAAHEP-accredited program to be eligible for annual scholarships from the Foundation for Surgical Technology and ARC-ST.

Links to accredited lists are below.
CAAHEP Accredited Surgical Technology Programs

CAAHEP Accredited Surgical Assisting Programs

ABHES Accredited Programs