Who is ARC/STSA?

The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting provides recognition to education programs in its system that meet its requirements. It is the only CAAHEP-recognized Committee on Accreditation for educational programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting. It provides resources to programs as well as scholarship opportunities to educators and students. 

Who is CAAHEP?

CAAHEP is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs,  the organization that grants accreditation to 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 CAAHEP's site.

Students from CAAHEP-accredited surgical technologist and surgical assisting programs are eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting national Certified Surgical Technologist examination and Certified Surgical First Assistant examination. Students also must be currently attending a CAAHEP-accredited program to be eligible for annual scholarships from the Foundation for Surgical Technology, ARC/STSA and the NBSTSA.