AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA - 4 year Certification Cycle

2 INTRODUCTION The AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA is provided for CSTs and CSFAs participating in continuing education (CE) to recertify. CSTs, CSFAs, and CE providers should adhere to these high standards established by the profession to ensure the ongoing educational development of individual practitioners and to demonstrate to the public the profession’s commitment to providing the highest level of quality surgical patient care. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) is recognized by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as the authority responsible for the approval of CE for the CST and CSFA, including responsibility for CE credit processing and maintenance that is subject to NBSTSA audit or verification. The NBSTSA is the authority responsible for all aspects of the certification process, including examination eligibility criteria, examination fees, recertification requirements, and recertification fees. AST and NBSTSA work collaboratively on the development of the Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA . TABLE OF CONTENTS AST CE Mission, Goals, & Responsibilities……………………………………………………...3 Submitting CE Credits to AST……………………………………………………………………3 Definitions…………………………………………………………………………………………5 Four-Year Certification Cycle..…………………………………………………………………...5 Methods to Earn CE Credits and Documentation…………………………………………………6 Continuing Education – Live……………………………………………………………………...6 Continuing Education – Enduring Material……………………………………………………...11 Completing the AST Continuing Education Reporting Form ……………………………………12 Submitting the AST CE Reporting Form and Documentation…………………………………...13