Exam Eligibility Information

As with any skilled specialty career, there are many eligibility requirements and it is important to fully understand these requirements to apply for Surgical Assistant Certification and effectively perform your job duties.

The ABSA Certification Examination for Surgical Assistants – Certified (SA-C) is designed for the following population: Medical Doctors, Dentists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Surgical Technologists, and other Surgical Assistants.

  • Physician Discipline (Medical Doctor, Dentist) Pathway
    • Education: Completion of a medical program either in the United States or internationally recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) https://www.wdoms.org/https://www.wdoms.org/
    • Experience: Completion of residency or advanced training (e.g., surgical rotation) plus a minimum of two (2) years of primary or advanced surgical experience.

  • Licensed & Non-Licensed Allied Health Professionals (Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technologist, and Surgical Assistant) Pathway
    • Education: Completion of a formal surgical assistant training program that meets the published criteria established by the ABSA (see below). Surgical Technology Programs do not qualify.
      • General Surgical procedures and anatomy
      • Gynecological surgical procedures and anatomy
      • Orthopedic surgical procedures and anatomy
      • Neurological surgical procedures and anatomy
      • Cardiothoracic surgical procedures and anatomy
      • Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia
      • Medical Terminology
      • Surgical Interpersonal Interactions
      • Wound Healing and Infection Control
      • Surgical Assisting Skills, Principals and Technique
      • First Assisting Clinical Case requirements
        • 50 Major, General cases
        • 25 Major, Gynecological cases
        • 25 Major, Orthopedic cases
        • 35 Miscellaneous cases

A list of training programs ABSA has found to meet the published criteria is available on the ABSA website; however, the list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and candidates may submit training programs for review against the established criteria by contacting [email protected]. ABSA does not recommend or endorse surgical assistant training programs.

  • Experience: Completion of a minimum of two (2) years of clinical surgical scrub experience.
  • Manual Skills Assessment: Satisfactory completion of an evaluation by a licensed surgeon who evaluates the applicant’s ability to perform tying and suturing competently and smoothly.
    • Surgeons will indicate “Satisfactory” or “Non-Satisfactory” on the evaluation. Of the 10 skills listed on the Manual Skills Evaluation, a surgeon must indicate that the applicant has completed at least 7 satisfactorily.
    • Surgeons may allow the applicant two attempts to satisfactorily demonstrate each skill. Individual skills may be demonstrated in multiple procedures.
    • Surgeons must complete the evaluation following the instructions listed in the form available on the ABSA website. Incorrectly completed forms will not be accepted.

  • Certified Surgical Assistant Pathway
    • Surgical Assistant certification: hold an active certification in surgical assisting offered by another entity.
    • Experience: Completion of a minimum of two (2) years of clinical surgical scrub experience.
    • Manual Skills Assessment: Satisfactory completion of an evaluation by a surgeon who evaluates the applicant’s ability to perform tying and suturing competently and smoothly.Guidelines for satisfactory completion of the skills assessment are detailed in the previous pathway.

  • All Applicants
    • Code of Ethics and Application Accuracy Attestation and Application Acknowledgements: Applicants must attest to comply with the ABSA Code of Ethics. Applicants and certificants must abide to practice surgical assisting in a manner consist with the certification standards and responsibilities set forth in the ABSA Code of Ethics. Applicants must attest to the accuracy of information reported within the application. Applicants attest to the accuracy of the information submitted and agreement to adhere to certification program policies.
    • Examination: Passing score on the SA-C examination.

Please Note: Anyone found guilty of “Practicing Medicine Without a License,” in the United States of America or its territories, either by court trial or plea agreement, will lose their certification and never be eligible to certify with the ABSA again.

Eligibility Verification

Only complete certification applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant, who may correct any deficiencies and resubmit the application for review, in accordance with established deadlines.

Certification staff will verify each component of eligibility to ensure all requirements have been successfully met. Verification requirements are outlined in the ABSA Certification Handbook.

Employment Information

The American Board of Surgical Assistants is exclusively a testing and credentialing organization. We do not operate as an employment agency and do not provide job placement or employment assistance services.

Individuals seeking employment are encouraged to network with professional colleagues, contact reputable employment agencies, and utilize online job search resources to explore surgical assistant opportunities.

State Regulatory Information

States with notable legislative or practice limitations:
California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.

  • Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey currently do not permit surgical assistants to practice.
  • California offers limited practice opportunities.

States requiring registration and/or licensure:
Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

  • Texas, Colorado, and Nebraska offer licensure; however, licensure is not required to practice.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to verify all current state laws and regulations directly with the appropriate state licensing board, as requirements are subject to change.

Application Notice

Payment submitted online DOES NOT constitute an application for examination.

All required documentation must be scanned and saved electronically prior to beginning the online Application Form. Applicants will be required to upload all supporting documents during the application process.

If you need assistance with your application, feel free to contact us,
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST at 1-877-617-8345 or email [email protected]