VersionV3.0 ✓ Published
Effective date2026-09-30
Approved byProf. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD — President, Accréditation Sans Frontières
Next reviewSeptember 2031
V3.0 — 5-module curriculum table (32 contact hours), written examination specification (75% pass mark, 50 MCQ + 5 short-answer), case study oral examination (4 competency dimensions), supervised assessment requirements (1 for Associate, 2 for Lead), annual calibration (70% threshold), 15 CPD hours/year, RPL pathway, 12 references
1. Purpose
This document describes the structured pathway by which candidates are trained, assessed, and certified to conduct accreditation surveys on behalf of ASF. Successful completion is a prerequisite for inclusion in the ASF surveyor pool. No person may conduct an ASF survey without a current ASF Surveyor Authorisation.
2. Programme Pathway — Four Components
All candidates must complete four sequential components: (1) Foundation Training Course (5 modules, ≥32 contact hours); (2) Written Examination (75% pass mark); (3) Case Study Oral Examination; (4) Supervised Assessment(s). The written examination and at least one supervised assessment remain mandatory for all candidates regardless of prior experience or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
3. Foundation Training Course — 5 Modules
Module 1 — ASF and the Accreditation Framework (4 hours): ASF governance, ISQua EEA, standards portfolio, accreditation vs. inspection, the accreditation cycle and decision framework. Module 2 — The ASF Accreditation Standard (8 hours): four-category criterion classification (Critical, Essential, Significant, Developmental); scoring and weighting; reading criteria; mapping evidence to criteria. Must be re-delivered within 6 months of any major standard revision. Module 3 — Survey Methods and Evidence Gathering (8 hours): document review, interviewing, physical observation, records sampling, triangulation, contradictory evidence. Module 4 — Nonconformance Assessment and Reporting (6 hours): classifying findings; isolated vs. systemic failures; writing NC statements; CAP requirements; survey report completion. Module 5 — Surveyor Conduct and Ethics (6 hours): impartiality, Declaration of Impartiality, confidentiality obligations, surveyor-facility boundaries, field CoI management, professional conduct standards.
4. Written Examination
Conducted after the Foundation Training Course under supervised conditions (in-person or proctored online). Format: 50 multiple-choice questions (Modules 1, 2, 5) + 5 short-answer questions (Modules 3, 4) = 100 marks. Pass mark: 75. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. First fail: re-sit after ≥30 days. Second fail: Foundation Training Course must be repeated before re-sitting.
5. Case Study Oral Examination
Candidates who pass the written examination review a standardised written case study (20 minutes), then sit a 30-minute structured oral with two ASF examiners (at least one qualified Lead Surveyor). Assessed on four dimensions: evidence analysis; criterion application; NC articulation; professional conduct. Must be rated Satisfactory or above on all four dimensions to pass. One fail dimension = overall fail. Second fail: Modules 3 and 4 must be repeated.
6. Supervised Assessments
Candidates who pass both examinations complete supervised assessments on real ASF surveys under observation of a qualified Lead Surveyor using a structured checklist: Associate Surveyor candidates — 1 supervised assessment; Lead Surveyor candidates — 2 supervised assessments, the second as acting Lead Surveyor. More than two unsatisfactory supervised assessments in 12 months: withdrawn from programme; re-entry requires a new application and written examination.
7. Recognition of Prior Learning
Candidates with documented healthcare surveyor, regulator, or senior quality professional experience may apply for RPL, which may exempt them from Module 1 and/or Modules 3–4 only. Module 2, Module 5, the written examination, the oral examination, and supervised assessment are mandatory for all candidates regardless of RPL.
8. Annual Calibration and CPD
All current surveyors participate in the annual calibration exercise (70% agreement threshold required). Surveyors below the threshold in two consecutive exercises are placed on supervised status. All surveyors submit evidence of ≥15 CPD hours per calendar year by 31 January. Failure to submit: inactive status until submitted. Inactive for >12 months: calibration exercise required before return to active status.
9. ISQua EEA Alignment
Supports ISQua EEA Principle 5 (Surveyors) — documented, implemented, and monitored training and examination pathway. The ASF ISQua EEA Crosswalk (ASF-EV-004) maps these provisions to the applicable EEA criteria.
Document code: ASF-OPS-009 · Version: V3.0 · Effective: 2026-09-30 ·
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ASF-OPS-009 — Surveyor Training and Examination · Version V3.0