BAYSIDE PROJECTS
The Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a national institutional accrediting agency serving more than 150,000 students annually across a wide range of occupational programs.
ACCSC ELIGIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Basic eligibility requirements for initial accreditation:
- Private postsecondary school.
- Programs with occupational-technical focus.
- Continuous operation for the last two years.
- Has graduates from the longest program.
- At least one program with 300+ hours duration.
- Meets financial stability requirements.
- Active students for all programs.
- Compliance with state & federal regulations.
Download our free ACCSC Eligibility Self-Assessment to evaluate your current status and identify the steps needed to prepare for the initial application.
ACCSC ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The ACCSC accreditation process takes approximately 24 months and includes attending a workshop, submitting applications part I and II, submitting a self-evaluation report (SER), attending an orientation, and hosting an ACCSC on-site visit.
LEARN MORE
Visit our ACCSC Accreditation Resources page for a dive into the ACCSC initial applicant world, access free resources, and guides.
Once institutional accreditation is achieved, schools may begin the Federal Financial Aid application process. Historically, Title IV funding has been limited to programs with 600+ clock hours duration. Regulatory revisions are expected to expand eligibility to shorter programs beginning July 1, 2026.
International Student Visas F1 & M1
Serving Institutions Nationwide
Surgical Technology Schools apply for both institutional and programmatic accreditation in order to comply with state requirements and provide the best services to their students.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
The first step in the accreditation journey is applying for institutional accreditation, which covers all programs offered by your institution and allows the school to apply for federal financial aid.
We recommend healthcare institutions pursue institutional accreditation through ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges), depending on your school's programs and long-term goals.
PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION
Surgical Technology programmatic accreditation by ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs) is required for your students to be eligible to take the CST certification exam offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
STATE REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for surgical technology programs vary by state, from licensure to institutional and/or programmatic accreditation. For state-specific requirements, visit the official Association of Surgical Technologists website.
PROGRAM CURRICULUM
The surgical technology program includes the following areas of instruction:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Infection Control
- Operating Room Techniques
- Surgical Biomedical Fundamentals
- Perioperative Patient Care
- Surgical Technical Procedures
- Surgical Pharmacology
- Surgical Equipment & Supplies Care
- Aseptic Techniques
- Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
- Surgical Clinical Practicum
CERTIFICATE VS ASSOCIATE DEGREE
The surgical technology program is offered both as a certificate/diploma or an associate degree. The degree program includes the core curriculum listed above, plus 15 credits in general education courses.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
As part of the accreditation process, schools demonstrate that students successfully complete their programs and obtain employment in the field. The minimum benchmark requirements are:
70% graduation rate
70% licensure-certification rate
70% placement rate
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth reflects promising career opportunities for graduates entering the field, with an average of 8,700 annual openings over the decade.
Institutional accreditation is generally one of the eligibility requirements for schools to become VA training providers. Once approved, students may use their veteran benefits to pay for their program of study at your school.
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Licensed schools complete the SEVP certification process to enroll international students with M1 or F1 visas for on-campus or hybrid programs. Institutional accreditation is typically one of the eligibility requirements, except in certain scenarios where programs lead to a state-issued license.
Our accreditation consulting package includes four milestones that will take your institution from Licensed to Accredited in 24 months, depending on the accreditation cycle and your school readiness:
Milestone 1 - Aligning with Accreditation Standards.
Milestone 2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
Milestone 3 - Issuing Your First Institutional Plan.
Milestone 4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
This approach allows your institution to commit to one objective and one consulting fee at a time. You may cancel our services at any time without penalties. Each module focuses on one of the Licensed to Accredited Milestones, aligns with 2026 standards, and includes ten (10) live Zoom training sessions.
Surgical Tech Accreditation Basics
Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones
Interested in accreditation for your surgical technology school? Once achieved, institutional accreditation will open the door to multiple funding opportunities, including Federal Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits. We have assisted many institutions through this process and would be pleased to support you as well. Request your complimentary consultation today!
Choosing an accreditor is a critical decision that should not be taken lightly. Accreditation requires a substantial investment of both financial and human resources. We recommend selecting an accreditor that aligns with your current goals while allowing room for your school’s future growth.
ABHES ACCREDITATION
ABHES is an ideal accreditor for surgical technology schools, given that the institutional and programmatic accreditation can be completed in a single application process.
ACCSC ACCREDITATION
For institutions offering programs outside the healthcare sector, we recommend applying for institutional accreditation with ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) and programmatic accreditation with ABHES for the surgical technology program.
Institutions already holding an institutional accrediting agency approval - such as ACCSC- are recommended to apply for ABHES for the surgical technology programmatic accreditation.
CAAHEP ACCREDITATION
CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Health Education Programs) is a programmatic accreditor focused on healthcare program certifications. To apply for CAAHEP programmatic accreditation, a school must first hold institutional accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency.
ACCSC Accreditation Basics
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Let us help you with your school accreditation process - moving from licensed to accredited in 4 milestones.
Visit our Accreditation Terms & Concepts page for a review of the terms you will encounter as you learn about accreditation. Familiarity with these concepts will help you select the accrediting agency that best supports your school’s goals
What Our Clients Say
Choosing Between ABHES, ACCSC, & CAAHEP
Surgical Technology School Accreditation Consulting
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is a nationally recognized accrediting agency for institutions and programs focused on healthcare education. ABHES offers both institutional and programmatic accreditation.
ABHES ELIGIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Basic eligibility requirements for initial accreditation:
- Private sector licensed institution.
- Principal activity is education.
- Focus on healthcare education.
- Programs lead to employment.
- Located in the United States.
- Legally authorized to operate.
- Has graduate students.
- Continuous operation for two years.
- Meets financial stability requirements.
- Programs have active students for visits.
For the complete list of eligibility requirements, download our free ABHES Eligibility Self-Assessment to evaluate your institution’s current status and identify the steps needed to prepare for the initial application.
ABHES ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The initial ABHES accreditation process takes approximately 24 months and includes attending a workshop, submitting an application, a self-evaluation report, and hosting ABHES preliminary and full visits.
LEARN MORE
Visit our ABHES Accreditation Resources page for a dive into the ABHES initial applicant world, access free reference guides, and resources.
The Starting Point
ABHES Accreditation Basics
Veteran Education Benefits
Accreditation Terms & Concepts
Six Reasons to Hire Our Services
Need assistance? We are glad to help! We serve institutions nationwide. Request a free consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing the free session request form, or emailing [email protected]. We are available to provide your surgical technology school with the accreditation consulting services to help you achieve this important milestone.