AEI: Accreditation Standards and Criteria

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The ACS Division of Education is proud to present the Standards for Accredited Education Institutes, which define the essential components of high-quality, simulation-based surgical education. These standards are organized into five core domains:

Personnel
Governance
Learners and Educational Resources
Educational Methodology
Advancement of the Field

This comprehensive manual serves as the cornerstone for developing and sustaining a robust surgical simulation program. It offers clear guidance for education centers striving to elevate the quality and impact of their training initiatives.

There are two levels of accreditation available: Comprehensive and Focused. While Comprehensive AEIs must meet more extensive requirements, both categories are held to rigorous standards and undergo a thorough, multi-tiered review process. Detailed distinctions between the two accreditation levels are outlined in the Standards Manual.

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Apply for Accreditation

Centers must meet all standards and intend to actively pursue accreditation for the designation level sought—Comprehensive or Focused—prior to submitting a pre-application.

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Maintaining Accreditation

During the 5-year accreditation cycle, existing Accredited Education Institutes (AEI) are required on a yearly basis to keep documentation/evidence of compliance and more.

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Accreditation Timelines

The AEI application process is organized into two annual cycles—June and December.

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Accredited Education Institutes

View a searchable list of all of our AEIs. Use the dropdown to select Education Centers.

Not Just Standards—The Highest Standards

Delivering the highest-quality surgical education through rigorous accreditation

Apply for Accreditation

Maintaining Accreditation

Accreditation Timelines

Accredited Education Institutes

Fellowship Program Accreditation