ACCREDITING BUREAU OF HEALTH EDUCATION SCHOOLS
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 N. · Falls Church, Virginia 22043
Tel. 703/917.9503 · Fax 703/917.4109 · E-Mail: info@abhes.org
APPLICATION FOR INITIAL
PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION FOR A
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
***This application is applicable ONLY to ABHES-accredited institutions***
Please review carefully and provide all of the requested information requested. Incomplete applications (i.e., blank
areas requiring information) will be returned for resubmission, which could delay the accreditation process.
Sponsoring Institution:
ABHES ID Code:
Expiration Date
Mailing Address:
City:
Telephone Number:
State:
Zip:
Fax Number:
Name of on-site administrator:
(Specify Dr., Mr., Ms., Mrs.)
Title of on-site
administrator:
Email of on-site administrator:
Name of program supervisor:
(Specify Dr., Mr., Ms., Mrs.)
Title of program
supervisor:
Email Address of program supervisor:
Institution Website Address:
***ABHES correspondence and updates are provided via e-mail. Contact ABHES immediately should there be
changes to the e-mail addresses provided.
Based upon review of the basic requirements outlined in the Accreditation Manual, Chapter II, Section B, Programmatic
Eligibility, our Surgical Technology program meets the criteria; and, therefore, an application for an initial grant of
programmatic accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is being submitted.
1. Will the institution utilize a separate classroom for the Surgical Technology program?
Yes
No
Refer to Chapter II of the ABHES Accreditation Manual for a definition of a separate classroom.
NOTE: If the classroom is within reasonable walking distance, it is considered a part of the main or non-main campus. Also,
facilities used to provide distance education methods of delivery are exempt from meeting the requirements for separate classroom
space.
If yes, provide the following information for the separate classroom:
Copy and paste the table below for each separate classroom location.
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone Number:
Distance from the campus to which it is assigned:
A. Is the staff at the separate classroom limited primarily to instruction?
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
Yes
No
B. Does the separate classroom utilize the same administration from the campus to which it is assigned?
C. Do students spend an adequate amount of time at the campus to which is assigned to avail themselves to
the administrative, student, and educational services offered by the institution?
Yes
No
Yes
No
D. Are all permanent records maintained at the campus to which it is assigned?
E. Is the separate classroom within customary and reasonable commuting distance of the campus to which is it
assigned?
Yes
No
Yes
No
F. Is this the only separate classroom assigned to this campus for the applicable program?
Yes
No
If answered “NO” to any of the questions A-F above, explain:
2. Identify oversight agency(ies) and approval expiration(s) as applicable.
Table will expand as needed to accommodate full listing:
NOTE: The sponsoring institution must evidence that it is licensed, chartered, or approved to offer the program under the laws
and regulations of the state or territories in which it is operating. A copy of the approval(s) noted below must be submitted with
application.
Institution/Program
Agencies/Organizations
Expiration Date
3. Does the institution operate* its program in a state(s) other than the state in which the institution is
physically located?
*Note: The regulatory definition of “operate” varies by state, as do licensure and authorization
requirements. Some states require approvals for any institution delivering educational programs within their
state (including via distance education), regardless of on-ground presence; other states require approvals
based upon on-ground triggers, such as student participation in clinical experiences or interest meetings,
employment of local faculty, or placement of local advertising, among others. Lack of applicable state
authorization may impact a student's ability to become credentialed in certain professions. It is the
responsibility of the school to determine when it is necessary to obtain approvals from the states in which it is
operating, as applicable.
Yes
If yes, complete the chart below:
Table will expand as needed to accommodate full listing.
Identify the state(s) where the
program *operates.
Does the state require authorization to *operate
the program? Yes / No
If yes, identify the date the state
approval was awarded.
4. Has state approval of the sponsoring institution or program ever been removed?
(e.g., withdrawal, suspension, revocation, relinquishment)
If yes, explain:
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
Yes
No
No
5.
Has accreditation ever been denied or removed (e.g., denial, withdrawal,
suspension, revocation, relinquishment) from the sponsoring institution by this or
any other accrediting agency?
If yes, explain:
Yes
No
An applicant must describe any current, previous, or final action for which it is the subject, including
probationary status, by a recognized institutional accrediting agency or state agency potentially leading to the
withdrawal, suspension, revocation, or termination of accreditation or licensure. Action on the application will be
stayed until the action by the other accrediting agency or state agency is final. Include a copy of the action letter
from the agency with this application. Further, the institution must provide evidence of compliance with ABHES
requirements and standards relative to the action.
6. Has a lawsuit been filed against the sponsoring institution during the past 24-month period?
Yes
No
If yes, explain:
7.
Complete the table below for each credential level program.
DISCLOSURE: Only the program(s) listed on this application can be considered in the accreditation process. If the institution revises
any of the program(s) listed on this application after the on-site evaluation visit, and prior to a grant of accreditation being awarded,
then a grant will not be awarded pending review and Commission consideration of the new/revised program(s).
Number of
Instructional
Weeks per day (D),
evening (E), &
weekend (W), if
In
Program Title
applicable
Class
(As approved by oversight
Example:
Clock
agency(ies) listed in question #2) 40-D, 50-E, 60-W Hours
Credential
Identify the # of
awarded by
credits offered for institution upon
each program
program
CHECK ONE
completion
Quarter
*Recognized
Outside
Hours
Semester
Total
Clock
Hours
Example:
Diploma,
Certificate, or
Type of Degree
(Do not use
abbreviations)
*NOTE: This field is NOT applicable to clock-hour only programs. Recognized outside hours are based upon required academic
clock-to-credit-hour conversions described in Chapter IV, Section G.2 of the ABHES Accreditation Manual. This standard
outlines expectations relative to calculating minimum requirements for outside (student preparation) hours.
Does the institution request recognition of outside (student preparation) hours as part of the
total hours for the program?
Yes
No
If yes, then identify the number of recognized outside hours in the chart above. Institutions awarding credit for outside
class hours will be required to provide a detailed analysis of how these hours were derived, how they complement the
given coursework, and how students benefit from the respective assignments during the on-site evaluation visit.
If no, then leave the noted column blank so that the clock hours provided for in class are the same as the total clock hours of
the program.
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
8.
Complete the following chart:
Program Title
(As approved by oversight agency(ies) listed in
question #2)
Projected Program Start Date
Date when students are
anticipated to start
clinical/externship
*NOTE: The institution is directed to notify ABHES of the status in writing if the identified timeline changes. If students have not
reached the clinical component of the program at the time of the scheduled on-site team visit, a follow up on-site evaluation
focusing on the clinical aspects of the program may be required.
9.
Is a credential required for graduates of the program to work in the field?
yes
10.
no
If any portion of a program(s) is offered via distance education, complete the table below:
Per the Glossary of the Accreditation Manual, distance education is defined below:
Distance Education (Distance Learning) - A formal educational process that uses one or more of the following technologies listed
below (1-4) to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction
between students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously.
(1) the internet;
(2) one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics,
satellite, or wireless communications devices;
(3) audio conferencing; or
(4) video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-Roms used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in 1 through 3.
Distance Education - (Blended) - Incorporation of both traditional on-campus and distance learning within a course (sometimes
called hybrid course) or program of study (sometimes called hybrid program).
Distance Education - (Full) - All coursework within a program is delivered via distance education. Even if a program has an onground laboratory, clinical or externship experience for its students at remote locations, the program is defined by ABHES as a
complete distance education program. If any portion of the program is delivered on the institution’s campus, the program would be
defined as “blended.” (Students, please note that a distance education program may require an on-ground component at an offcampus facility, such as an externship at a hospital.)
Program Title
(As approved by oversight
agency(ies) listed in question #6)
Credential awarded by
institution upon
program completion
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
*Blended and/or Full
Distance Education
Delivery
Types of Courses
[e.g., general education,
core, remote
lab/externship/clinical]
11.
Has a representative from the program attended an ABHES Accreditation Workshop
within the past 12 months?
(See Chapter III of the Accreditation Manual for details regarding attendance requirements for
the Accreditation Workshop).
Yes
No
If yes, identify participants in the table below:
Attendee Name
11.
Title
Campus
(City & State)
Workshop Date Attended
Attestation and Signature
The information and data submitted in this application are correct and current to the best of my knowledge. I
adhere to the ABHES Bylaws contained in the ABHES Accreditation Manual:
Administrator’s [Original] Signature:
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
Date:
Disclosures
Once approved, if the surgical technology program does not commence enrollment within 90 days of the anticipated start
date disclosed on the application, the institution must notify ABHES of the change in writing. Any approved program that
has not been in operation for a continuous 12-month period is considered discontinued and reapplication is necessary (see
Chapter III. B., Subsection 4.C.b. and Glossary definition, Discontinued Program, Accreditation Manual).
Any approved program that has not been in operation for a continuous twelve-month period is considered discontinued
and reapplication is necessary (see Chapter III (B), Subsection 4(C)(b) and Glossary definition, Discontinued Program,
Accreditation Manual).
ABHES approval to start the Surgical Technology program does not mean that the program is programmatically
accredited by ABHES as such a grant of accreditation is pending receipt of a completed Self Evaluation Report (SER),
completion of an on-site team visit, and Commission consideration at an upcoming meeting.
Surgical Technology is a field where graduates may elect to sit for a third party credentialing examination offered by the
NBSTSA. It is our understanding that this particular credential may be required by some states or other governing
authorities, which may also include employers, to become gainfully employed in the program field. In addition, it is
understood that a prerequisite for sitting for the NBSTSA credential is completion of an educational program accredited
by an accreditor acceptable to the NBSTSA; ABHES is one such accreditor. Please note, however, that ABHES cannot
address NBSTSA requirements as these are defined and mandated by the NBSTSA. As such, the institution must verify
the credentialing requirements with NBSTSA, as necessary.
Please note the NBSTSA requires the accreditor to conduct a comprehensive on-site evaluation as part of the review
process leading to accreditation and it is to the institution’s advantage for ABHES to review the program as soon (and as
reasonable) as possible. Lastly, please be reminded that only those student graduates who have completed an accredited
program or those enrolled in the program at the time of the comprehensive on-site evaluation may be eligible to sit for the
certification examination. The institution is advised to provide notice in this regard to students so that they are aware of
these requirements and is reminded that it may not yet reference or advertise that the program is programmatically
accredited by ABHES at this time. This position, again, is to safeguard the institution and the accreditation process.
NOTE: Standard, ST.A.3. of the Accreditation Manual states in part that the program administers to each student an
examination, after completion of curricula content and prior to graduation, that is nationally recognized and serves
as the program’s primary quality indicator by producing relevant and usable data that assesses curricular quality
and overall achievement in the program according to the Core Curriculum. Both currently accredited programs and
initial applicants must administer such an examination to evidence compliance with the standard. As such, ABHES
provides the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) basic demographic
information regarding the program to allow initial applicants’ access to the Secure CST Practice Examination. The
NBSTSA may contact via email the program chair identified in the application process to provide important
instructions regarding access to the examination. Should the program need further assistance or additional
information, contact Ms. Kari Allen, at NBSTSA via email at kari@nbstsa.org.
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
The following must accompany the completed and signed Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical
Technology Program:
 Copy of the approval from the State and/or other oversight agency(ies) listed in question #2 of this application;
 Signed (with original signature) Attestation of Responsibility; and
 Application fee payment. Payment must be in the form of a check made payable to ABHES. Visit the ABHES
website to view the current Fee Schedule in Appendix H/Fees of the Accreditation Manual, 17th Edition Effective
1/1/2012; Updated 7/1/2015 at http://www.abhes.org/accreditationmanual.
ABHES prefers that ALL APPLICANTS submit a completed application packet electronically via e-mail to
applications@abhes.org. This may require documents to be professionally scanned as a JPG, TIF, MicrosoftCompatible, or ADOBE PDF to ensure that all information is legible and organized for ease of an electronic review. If
the documents are scanned in per page and consist of more than two pages, please combine them into one document. All
documents must include the original signatures where applicable.
Application packets may be submitted on a USB drive or CD Rom (mailed to the address below). When saving required
documents, a separate document should be made and appropriately labeled and formatted as described above.
The total number of attachments (if e-mailed) or files (if using a USB drive or CD Rom) is dependent on the application
plus the number of exhibits to accompany the application. Each attachment/file should be named according to its
content (e.g., “Completed Application”, “Attestation Form”, etc.).
It is imperative that the application submission is properly labeled with the (1) institution’s name, (2) city/state, (3) Titled
“APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION”, and (4) the Date of submission.
The only hardcopy document required is a cover letter of intent and the application payment in the form of a
check made payable to ABHES and mailed to the address below.
ABHES
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314N
Falls Church, Virginia 22043
If you have any questions regarding the application, please call us at 703-917-9503.
Application for Initial Programmatic Accreditation for a Surgical Technology Program
July 2015