To initiate the application process for CAAHEP Initial Accreditation for a surgical technology or surgical assisting program, the sponsoring institution should follow the ARC/STSA application steps below:

1. Accreditation packet ordered from ARC/STSA

• Complete the Accreditation Packet Order Form here (Google Form) to receive the ARC/STSA Initial Application Self-Study and accompanying materials.
• If you have general questions about the application process before getting started and would like to schedule a meeting, please contact info@arcstsa.org and request an Accreditation Inquiry meeting.

2. Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) Form completed through CAAHEP

• Complete the RAS once the program has received the Accreditation Packet and is ready to admit students.
• Access the RAS here

3. ARC/STSA schedules the Initial Accreditation meeting

• After the ARC/STSA receives the RAS, staff will contact the program to schedule an Initial Accreditation Meeting.
• To prepare for this meeting, the ARC/STSA requests the program has the following information ready and available prior to the scheduled meeting:
• Start date of first cohort to be covered under CAAHEP accreditation
• Anticipated graduation date of first cohort
• Clinical start date
• Clinical mid-point plus one day
• Site Visit (SV) is scheduled during the meeting

4. Self-Study and fees due

• Self-Study is due 4 months before the tentatively scheduled site visit, along with the Initial Accreditation Application and Site Evaluation (Visit) Fees.

5. Program notified of the confirmed site visit dates

• 8 – 10 weeks before the visit, the program is notified of the upcoming site visit via email.

6. Documentation to evidence compliance is due 4 weeks before the site visit

• The program uploads the documentation digitally. Staff checks it, and if necessary, a request for missing or incomplete documentation is sent to the program director. All programs are required to participate in a technology check scheduled by ARC/STSA staff prior to the visit.

7. Site Visit occurs on ground (scheduled when students have completed ½ +1 day of clinical requirements)

• Initial site visits are scheduled on ground. The program director is responsible for completing and submitting the Schedule for Site Visit Activities Form with documentation in Step 6.

8. Findings letter sent to the program

• When the visit is complete, the site visit team sends the report to ARC/STSA, and a findings letter is developed. The findings letter is sent to the program approximately 8 weeks after the visit.

9. Program response due date

• The program is provided time to respond to any concerns. The response due date and instructions on how to submit the response are included in the findings letter.

10. ARC/STSA staff reviews the program’s response to the findings letter and forwards the program file to the Board of Directors.

11. Review by ARC/STSA Board of Directors

• The Board of Directors (BoD) reviews the initial application and either recommends accreditation, or tables the application for clarification.
• If the BoD recommends accreditation, the recommendation is forwarded to CAAHEP.
• If the ARC/STSA board tables the application, a letter is sent requesting clarifying information and steps 8-11 are repeated. The application is not forwarded to CAAHEP until clarifying information is received and accepted.
• The program has three opportunities to demonstrate compliance before the ARC/STSA Board recommends withholding accreditation. If this happens, the program must reinitiate the application process.

12. Recommendation sent for CAAHEP Board of Directors’ review and action.