Initial Accreditation Process
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. Ensure to read all steps thoroughly before reaching out to ARC/STSA.
- Accreditation Inquiry
- If you have general questions about the application process before getting started and would like to schedule a meeting, please complete the CAAHEP Accreditation Inquiry Form, and we will reach out to schedule a meeting to review the process.
- Self-Study Report
- The Self-Study Report may be downloaded at any time. The due date for the Self-Study Report and evidence documentation is set in step #4.
- Initial Accreditation Meeting Request
- Complete the ARC/STSA Initial Accreditation Meeting Request Form once the program is ready to admit students.
- ARC/STSA schedules the Initial Accreditation meeting
- After the ARC/STSA receives the meeting request form, staff will contact the program to schedule an Initial Accreditation Meeting.
- Site visit is tentatively scheduled and Self-Study Report due date is set during the Initial Accreditation Meeting.
- Following the meeting, the program will receive an email with the program site visit notification letter containing the Self-Study Report due date and tentative site visit date.
- 10-12 weeks before the visit, program notified of the confirmed site visit dates
- Program is notified via email that the site visit date is confirmed. The program receives the link to upload the Self-Study Report and evidence documentation.
- Site evaluator names are released to the program, and travel recommendations are requested at this time (travel and accommodations for the site visit team are scheduled and booked by ARC/STSA, but the program will recommend local accommodations).
- Invoice is sent for the Self-Study Application Fee, Site Evaluation Fee, and any other applicable fees identified in the Initial Accreditation Meeting, e.g. Separate Instructional Site Evaluation Fee.
- Zoom links for meetings will be sent with the program notification (Zoom is used for the staff liaison to join the visit and for the Program Advisory Committee/clinical affiliate interviews).
- Approximately 8 weeks before the site visit, the Self-Study Report, evidence documentation, RAS, and fees are due
- The Self-Study Report and evidence documentation, including a site visit agenda (schedule) completed by the program, is due, along with the invoiced fees.
- The program completes the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) Form
- The program uploads the Self-Study Report and evidence documentation, including the completed RAS Form, via the provided link. Staff reviews the Self-Study Report and evidence documentation, and if necessary, sends a request for missing or incomplete documentation to the program director.
- All programs are required to participate in a technology check scheduled by ARC/STSA staff prior to the visit.
- Site visit occurs on ground (scheduled when students have completed a minimum of 50% of their clinical portion of the program)
- Initial site visits are scheduled on ground for 1.5 days (Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday).
- Findings letter sent to the program
- When the visit is complete, the site visit team sends the site visit findings report to ARC/STSA, and a findings letter is developed to detail any areas of concern identified. The findings letter is sent to the program approximately 8 weeks after the visit.
- Program response due date
- The program is given time to respond to any concerns. The response due date and instructions on how to submit the response are included in the findings letter.
- ARC/STSA staff reviews the program’s response to the findings letter and forwards the program’s application file to the Board of Directors. The program’s application for Initial Accreditation is comprised of the Self-Study Report, site visit findings report and findings letter, and the program’s response.
- Review by ARC/STSA Board of Directors
- The ARC/STSA Board of Directors (BoD) reviews the Initial Accreditation application materials and either recommends accreditation or defers (tables) its recommendation pending submission of additional clarifying documentation.
- If the ARC/STSA BoD recommends accreditation, the recommendation is forwarded to CAAHEP.
- If the ARC/STSA BoD tables the application, a letter is sent requesting clarifying information and steps 7-10 are repeated. The application is not forwarded to CAAHEP until clarifying information is received and accepted.
- Recommendation sent to CAAHEP Board of Directors for review and accreditation action.