The 2024 Annual Report opens May 1, 2024, and is due by 4:30 p.m. Mountain on July 31, 2024.

Maintaining Accreditation

After a program receives CAAHEP accreditation, per Standard IV.B., the ARC/STSA will regularly monitor the program’s compliance with the outcomes assessment thresholds through the Annual Reporting process. The next comprehensive evaluation of the program, including a site review, is scheduled to occur any time within a 10-year time frame. CAAHEP-accredited programs will continue to progress through the accreditation cycle, unless:

  • The ARC/STSA recommends the program Withdrawal of accreditation or
  • The program decides to Voluntarily Withdraw its grant of accreditation

Substantive changes must still be reported to the ARC/STSA within 30 days of the change; documentation supporting non-substantive changes should be maintained on campus.

Annual Report

Click here to access the ARC/STSA Accreditation Portal and Annual Report. The 2024 Annual Report will be available on May 1, 2024.

The 2024 Annual Report will ask programs to report outcomes data for students who graduated within the August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023, ARC/STSA reporting year.

  • Open Date and Due Date: Opens May 1 and closes July 31, 2024.
  • For questions email ARQuestions@arcstsa.org. Due to high call volumes during Annual Reporting, we ask that questions be submitted via email for a more expedient response.
  • It is imperative that the submission of the Annual Report be a fair and accurate representation of the program. Please verify that all data is accurate prior to final submission of the report.

If you encounter difficulties or have any questions while completing the Annual Report, please review the Annual Report Instructions prior to contacting the ARC/STSA office, if additional assistance is needed, please contact us at ARQuestions@arcstsa.org.

  • For the most expedient response please email your questions to ARQuestions@arcstsa.org.
  • Please do not submit the Annual Report if you are experiencing technical difficulties; contact ARC/STSA staff to receive assistance prior to report submission.

Late Fee: The ARC/STSA strictly enforces its late fee policy which applies to any Annual Report submissions received by the ARC/STSA office after the July 31 due date. This fee will only be waived if the program notifies the ARC/STSA prior to the July 31 due date of its inability to meet the assigned date and an extension is granted by the ARC/STSA. Only one extension of up to 30 days will be granted to each program.

Change Fee: Please be aware that an Annual Report Revision Fee will be assessed for any changes to an Annual Report after it has been submitted by the program.

Please review the Schedule of Fees for Late and Change fee criteria.

ARC/STSA Surgical Technology Annual Report Outcomes Reporting Periods

Programs must continue to publish their most recent/current Outcome Assessment Examination (OAE) result, even when it has not yet been reported to the ARC/STSA due to the delayed Annual Report submissions. Please see the Annual Reporting Periods Chart for the current outcomes reporting period. Per CAAHEP Standard V.A.4. programs are required to report at least one annual outcome on their websites; per the ARC/STSA Outcomes Threshold, Reporting and Assessment Policy requires that at a minimum the most current Examination Pass Rate results are posted.

“Obtaining accreditation for our Surgical First Assistant (SFA) program ensures that students and all stakeholders can expect the college and the program to live up to its promises. Accreditation allows students and employers the confidence that the CSFA credential has value.” 

Surgical Assisting Program Director