Since 1972, the ARC/STSA has set the gold standard for higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting.

The ARC/STSA is a private, non-profit accreditation services agency that provides national recognition for 400 higher education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The mission of the ARC/STSA is to provide accreditation services to our communities of interest that validate excellence of educational programs in order to advance the professions and ensure quality patient care.

Serving as a CAAHEP Committee on Accreditation, the ARC/STSA is the largest programmatic accreditor of surgical technology and surgical assisting programs, and the only national recognition for surgical technology and surgical assisting programs sponsored by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).