Forms & Required Documents

All Forms must be downloaded and completed; we cannot mail them to you.

All Forms must be completed before submission of the online application!

For Recertification, you will need to submit the following documents with your online application.
If employed by a Hospital, SurgiCenter, SA Group or Physician:
  • Work Verification Form (HERE) (400 cases or 1500 hours as a first surgical assistant)
  • Continuing Medical Education Form (22 points) (HERE)
  • CPR, ACLS or PALS Certification
  • PayPal Receipt (will obtain in payment step of application)
If Self-Employed:
  • Case Log Form (HERE) or Your Case Log Summary Sheet (400 cases or 1500 hours as a first surgical assistant)
  • Continuing Medical Education Form (22 points) (HERE)
  • CPR, ACLS or PALS Certification
  • PayPal Receipt (will obtain in payment step of application)

1 continuing medical education credit is equal to 1 hour or 1 point

Visit the Recertification Information page for more information and review the ABSA Certification Handbook for full information and policies related to maintaining certification.

Recertification Information

For Initial Applications, you will need to submit the following documents with your online application.
Physicians Discipline (Medical Doctor, Dentist) Pathway
  • Medical School Completion (diploma)
  • Curriculum vitae (resume)
  • Professional Passport Photo (image)
Licensed & Non-Licensed Allied Health Professionals (Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant) Pathway
  • Formal Surgical Assistant Training Program Documentation/Completion
  • Curriculum vitae (resume)
  • Professional Passport Photo (image)
  • Manual Skills Assessment (HERE)
Certification (Surgical Assistant) Pathway
  • Current Surgical Assistant Certification
  • Curriculum vitae (resume)
  • Professional Passport Photo (image)
  • Manual Skills Assessment (HERE)

Visit the Exam Eligibility Information page for more information and review the ABSA Certification Handbook for full information and policies related to earning certification.

Exam Eligibility Information

Testing Accommodations for Candidates with Disabilities

ABSA and its test administration vendor will provide reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended for individuals with documented disabilities who request and demonstrate the need for accommodation as required by law. ADA regulations define a person with a disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. ABSA requires documentation to validate the type and severity of a disability to enable accommodations to be specifically matched with the identified functional limitation, in order to provide equal access to exam functions for all examinees.

The information provided by candidates and any documentation regarding such disability and special accommodation, will be treated with strict confidentiality and will not be shared with any source, with the exception of ABSA and its test administration vendor and proctors, without the candidate’s express written permission.

View the full Testing Accommodations for Candidates with Disabilities policy and the Request for Testing Accommodations Form in the ABSA Certification Handbook.