"Setting standards of professionalism, proficiency and continued education for Non Physician Surgical Assistants throughout the country"

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT In a spirit of bringing the profession together under one roof and providing a true home for the Non-Physician Surgical Assistant, the NSAA Board of Directors has voted to expand our criteria for eligibility to become a CSA by including the experienced CFA and SA-C. It is our goal to unite the Non-Physician Surgical Assistant community, to increase visibility and recognition, and to eventually obtain national legislation. Please go to Membership & Certification for a list of criteria and documentation. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our Executive Director, Ruth Helein, or email her at nsaa@namgmt.com. We are excited about welcoming new members from our SA community!

The National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) was the first organization in the country to establish standards of professionalism and proficiency for Non Physician Surgical Assistants.

NSAA has a stringent process to qualify individuals to sit for the certification examination in order to receive the prestigious Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) credential. Only those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and proficiency to perform surgical assisting at the advanced level obtain the credential.

The certification examination for the CSA credential is known throughout the country as the most comprehensive, complex and thorough examination for testing the knowledge, skills and proficiency of the surgical assistant. Exam questions are reviewed by surgeons, Certified Surgical Assistants and academics before being accepted for the examination database.

Certified Surgical Assistants (CSA) make the difference in the operating room! Patient safety is the first priority in the operating room. Making certain that the operating team is made up of the most highly skilled individuals assures the best possible scenario for a patient receiving surgical intervention. When the first assistant is a CSA – the patient is assured that the assistant has successfully passed the most stringent certification examination in the country for the Non Physician Surgical Assistant.

NSAA is proud of its CSAs and the process each of them went through to receive this prestigious credential!

Certified Surgical Assistant This term shall apply to all persons who join the Association as a qualified Candidate Member and who successfully pass the Certification Examination. The term "Certified Surgical Assistant" is a continuous membership classification and may be used for as long as a member maintains continuing education credits for his/her certification and is in good standing with the Association. Certified Surgical Assistants shall have full voting rights.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs