Surgical Technology Selective Admissions

Surgical Technology Program Information and Information Session

 

Surgical Technology Fall 2025 Application Criteria

Application Period: February 3, 2025, to March 14, 2025

Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Technology program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Please read this information thoroughly. We want to make sure you have the best possible chance of being selected by completing all processes and submitting all necessary application documents completely, correctly, and by the deadline. Please email admissions@abtech.edu if you have questions regarding enrolling at A-B Tech or email advising@abtech.edu if you have questions about applying for the Surgical Technology program.

You must be a high school graduate or have an Adult High School diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) to be eligible to enter the selective allied health programs and have self-certified this requirement on your A-B Tech College application.

Dates and Deadlines

  • Application Period Opens: February 3, 2025
  • Application Period Closes: March 14, 2025
  • Deadline to Submit Documentation for Points: March 14, 2025
  • TEAS Deadline: March 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

(Note: Do not schedule the TEAS before meeting with a Student Advisor to complete a Verification/Selection Form)

All deadlines and requirements in this document must be met to be eligible to apply.

Please note: Alternates may be accepted after the application deadline of March 14, 2025, if deemed necessary to fill the class. Notification of this will be posted on the Selective and Limited Programs Application Period Information page after the application deadline.

 

Information Session Requirement

Prior to application to the Surgical Technology program, applicants are required to complete a mandatory information session and follow up with the program chairperson via email. These instructions are covered in the information session that can be found at the top of this webpage approaching the application period.

 

Anatomy and Physiology Requirement

Successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO-168 or acceptable substitute) from a regionally accredited institution with a “C” or higher is required prior to Fall 2025 term start. Course completion of BIO-168 will be verified by the Surgical Technology department prior to full acceptance into the program.

 

How to Apply

  1. Attend the mandatory Information Session provided by the Surgical Technology department prior to application to the allied health program. Information will be posted at the top of this page approaching the application period.
  2. Complete and submit the general A-B Tech Application. (This is not an application to a Selective Program. The application to the Surgical Technology program will be done separately after you meet with a Student Advisor and are approved as eligible to apply.)
  3. Applicants must certify on their College application that they are a high school graduate from a valid institution, an adult high school graduate from a valid institution, or have a valid high school equivalency (HSE). High school graduation or the equivalent from a regionally accredited, valid institution is required for Financial Aid purposes. You must have a high school diploma or equivalency by the first day of classes for the Fall 2025 term to enter the selective allied health programs.
  4. Applicants must complete New Student Orientation. Waivers may apply.
  5. Eligible applicants must document college readiness in English and Math. Visit Placement Overview for detailed information or contact a Student Advisor to learn about the acceptable options. Placement must be completed prior to meeting with a Student Advisor to complete the Verification/Selection Form during the application period.
  6. Once you meet the minimum requirements to apply to the program, you will meet with a Student Advisor to complete the Verification/Selection form and be given permission and instructions to schedule the ATI TEAS Exam. You must complete this step and the Verification/Selection form by the deadline listed above. Applicants must ensure ATI TEAS scores are received by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline. No exceptions.

 

Admissions to the Program Once Minimum Requirements Have Been Met

  1. Applicants will be ranked based on the total points awarded. See the point system in the section below.
  2. As stated above, successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO-168 or acceptable substitute) with a “C” or higher is required prior to Fall 2025 term start. Course completion of BIO-168 will be verified by the Surgical Technology department prior to full acceptance into the program.
  3. After acceptance into the program, all new students will be placed in the Surgical Technology Onboarding course in Trailhead. Program onboarding course details will be provided by the department after acceptance to the program via student email. Failure to participate in and complete course requirements within the onboarding course may result in the loss of a seat in the class.

 

How the Point System Works

  1. You will receive points equivalent to your ATI TEAS composite score (maximum ATI TEAS score is 100).
  2. You can receive 30 points for the successful completion of an accredited, college credit, allied health program degree (AAS, BA, BS, or Masters) and 20 points for the completion of any accredited, college credit, diploma-level allied health program. Points will be awarded for allied health disciplines on the pre-approved list from the Dean of Allied Health. The program must be accredited by an accrediting board recognized by A-B Tech.
  3. You can receive 30 points for Nurse Aid I (NAI) certification. NAI certification must be documented OR 30 points for CSPD-T (certified sterile processing and distribution technician). Points are not awarded for both. Documentation required.
  4. You can receive points for the successful completion of the following college courses (or acceptable substitutes): BIO-168, BIO-169, and BIO-175. A grade of “A”=30 points, a grade of “B”=15 points, and a grade of “C”=5 points.
  5. Currently enrolled high school seniors who have successfully completed Health Science I can receive points. A grade of “A”=15 points, a grade of “B”=10 points, and a grade of “C”=5 points. An official high school transcript detailing this must be submitted to the Admissions Office by the documentation deadline.

The summation of the points outlined above will be used to rank applicants within the allied health program.

Important: It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all documentation and follow up as necessary to ensure it has been received. All documentation for points outside of the ATI TEAS Exam must be submitted by the documentation deadline at the top of the page. Applicants must take the TEAS exam and/or submit scores by 5:00 p.m. on the TEAS deadline.

 

Important ATI TEAS Information

Applicants should Not schedule the ATI TEAS until after meeting with a Student Advisor and having been approved as eligible to apply.

To be eligible for admission to the Fall 2025 class, all qualified Surgical Technology applicants will be required to take the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. The ATI TEAS exam may only be completed at a location within the United States of America per ATI guidelines.

The ATI TEAS exam will be paid for by the student at the time of online registration on the ATI website. Information on the ATI TEAS exam and associated costs can be found at ATI Testing.

 

Applicants may select only one of the following at the time of completion of the Verification/Selection Form:

  1. Testing during the application period at the Testing Center at A-B Tech Asheville Campus on Victoria Road in Asheville, NC.
  2. Testing during the application period at an approved testing facility in another location. If multiple test scores are received (regardless of the reason for or the source of the error), the earliest composite score will be used.
  3. Use an existing score already on file at the College provided the score is 5 years old or newer.
  4. Submit only one score report from a testing session that occurred prior to the application period at another testing facility. Scores must be 5 years old or newer. If multiple test scores are received (regardless of the reason for or the source of the error), the earliest composite score will be used.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up and ensure scores are received.

Please Note: Test scores will not be accepted, and applicants may not schedule the ATI TEAS exam until after the applicant has completed the Verification/Selection Form with a Student Advisor.

If an applicant does not follow through and take the ATI TEAS exam, they will be disqualified from moving forward in the admission process.

Applicants in need of testing accommodations should contact Support Services at supportservices@abtech.edu at least three weeks prior to testing.

Important: Students who submit TEAS exam scores must ensure scores are received by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to email the Testing Center at testingcenter@abtech.edu to confirm scores were received prior to the testing deadline listed at the top of this page.

 

Notice to Non-U.S. Citizens

A-B Tech welcomes non-citizens with work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to our Selective Allied Health programs. Clinical site eligibility is determined by the sites and can be impacted by immigration status. Non-citizens should discuss their non-citizenship status with their Selective program advisor as soon as they are accepted so that accommodations can be made.

As stated above, non-citizens who are eligible for the Selective programs may not be eligible for certain clinical sites. Successful completion of clinical rotations is required for program completion. If a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges, the college refund policy will apply. Non-citizens are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing/certifying agency to determine if they are eligible for licensure /certification upon graduation – decisions regarding licensure/certification are solely the responsibility of the licensing/certifying agency.

Questions regarding program admission for non-citizens may be directed to advising@abtech.edu.

 

Other Important Information

  • Criminal background checks and drug screenings are required by clinical sites for students entering the selective allied health programs. These screenings will be conducted at the student’s expense by a professional and independent vendor. Failure to achieve acceptable standards for these screenings will result in the denial of clinical privileges. Successful completion of clinicals is required for program completion. The college refund policy applies if a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges.
  • Applicants for Selective Allied Health Programs must demonstrate the ability to meet certain technical standards critical to the successful completion of the program. These standards include skills and abilities essential for such things as the operation of equipment; evaluation and manipulation of patients; evaluation of microscopic components and color reactions; and communication with patients, families, and other medical personnel. For an explanation of specific physical and cognitive requirements for the SUR program, refer to the Program Technical Standards. For further clarification, contact the Surgical Technology Department Chair at (828) 398-7892.
  • Any Allied Health student deemed to have violated the College Student Code of Conduct may not be eligible for application or re-admission to Allied Health programs.
  • If you are not selected for the Surgical Technology program beginning Fall 2025 and wish to apply for the Fall 2026 class, you must re-apply during the next Selective program application period.
  • All documents that you submit with your application for the Surgical Technology program must be true, correct, and complete. Falsification of documentation may result in denial of admission or dismissal after admission.
  • Admission criteria are subject to change from year to year.
  • The class and clinical schedules for the Surgical Technology program are rigorous. Specifically: Classes and labs will meet as early as 8:00 a.m. or end as late as 7:00 p.m. while clinicals may meet as early as 6:00 a.m. Clinical rotations may be outside of Buncombe County based on the type of surgical procedures needed to meet graduation criteria. Clinical rotations are required and may require a student to travel more than one hour from campus.
  • Please note: To ensure success in the program, students are strongly encouraged to complete all general education coursework prior to beginning the program in the fall. Contact a Student Advisor for more information. Student advisors can be reached at advising@abtech.edu.

 

Asheville Buncombe Surgical Technology Program Readmission & Transfer Policy

Readmission

Students who are not successful may apply for readmission the following academic year. If the application deadline has passed, the student will be placed on the waitlist of incoming students.

All applicants must meet the entrance criteria set forth by the college and Surgical Technology program prior to consideration for readmission. All students must ultimately fulfill college and program graduation requirements.

Students who are unsuccessful in the first semester of the program are eligible for readmission.

Students who are unsuccessful after successfully passing the first semester of the program may choose one of the following options for reentry:

Option 1 (recommended)

  • Start the next academic year as a first-year student.
  • Retake all SUR courses to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) credentialing exam.

Option 2

  • Audit previously passed* didactic courses.
  • Demonstrate clinical competence by passing a clinical practicum (CP) with a grade of 80% (or better) based on practicum evaluation criteria with zero unrecognized contaminations prior to clinical course entry.
  • Take all clinical courses, starting with SUR-123, in a continuous sequence (without interruption) regardless of prior completion status.
  • Take/re-take SUR-137 to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) credentialing exam.

Option 2 is only available to students who meet the following criteria:

  • * Previously completed didactic surgical technology courses must have been passed with a grade of B (or better) within the 2 years prior to the semester that readmission would start.

Applicants for readmission must present documentation of all required immunizations, a recent physical examination (using the required college form), a current BCLS (basic cardiac life support) card, HIPAA and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) training, mandatory hospital education modules, a current background check and drug screen through CastleBranch. Clinical site entry is contingent upon clinical site approval and acceptance.

 

Transfers

The ability to transfer from another college to A-B Tech’s Surgical Technology program is dependent upon available space within the program which is directly related to whether or not the subsequent class has already been accepted. Incoming cohorts or classes are accepted each spring.

  • All applicants must meet the entrance criteria set forth by the College and Surgical Technology program prior to consideration for transfer. All students must ultimately fulfill college and program graduation requirements.
  • Applicants for transfer will be allowed one attempt per year to apply, schedule, perform, and pass the laboratory identification exam and clinical practicum prior to spring clinical entry, provided they are within two years of completing their last surgical technology course.
  • Applicants for transfer must have their transcripts sent to the Admissions Office and have all of their courses evaluated the semester prior to the semester they are attempting to transfer in. Students should schedule an appointment with the Surgical Technology Department Chair after the Admissions Office has evaluated their transcripts. The chair will meet with the student and explain the program transfer requirements to the prospective student.
  • Applicants for transfer must ensure they have contacted the Surgical Technology program at least three months prior to the semester they are attempting to transfer into so that there is sufficient time to coordinate and schedule the required competency demonstrations around existing student courses and clinical schedules as well as complete clinical site clearance requirements. Current program students take priority.
  • Applicants for transfer must provide documentation of all required immunizations, a recent health history and physical exam using the provided Allied Health Division form, a current BCLS (basic cardiac life support) documentation, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) training through CastleBranch. A current background check and drug screen will also be required through CastleBranch when prompted by the program of study. Clinical site entry is contingent upon clinical site approval and acceptance. All clinical sites have mandatory education modules to complete.

Students who transfer must do the following to enter and ultimately graduate from this program:

  • Have passed any didactic co-requisite or pre-requisite surgical technology courses with a grade of B or better within the past two years.
  • Demonstrate clinical competence by passing a videotaped clinical practicum with a grade of 80% based on practicum evaluation criteria with zero unrecognized contaminations prior to clinical course entry.
  • Take all clinical courses, starting with SUR-123 in a continuous sequence (without interruption) regardless of prior completion status to ensure case log currency.
  • Take/re-take SUR-137 the terminal semester to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting credentialing exam.

* Transfer credit will not be awarded for surgical technology courses completed in a non-CAAHEP (Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited program.

Any Allied Health student deemed to have violated the College Student Code of Conduct may not be eligible for re-admission or application to Allied Health programs.

 

We appreciate your interest in A-B Tech and the Surgical Technology program.
Updated July 15, 2024