The Certified Surgical Technologist exam is taken by graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology programs seeking certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. This page offers practice question sets, along with clear details on PSI test center delivery, registration fees, testing durations, and retake limits. All review materials are generated using artificial intelligence tools to assist your independent study alongside official testing resources.
The CST has 175 questions and takes about 4 hours[1] (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, verified Oct 25, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 175 questions (150 scored)[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit | 4 hours[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (AST member) | $230 (AST member)[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Non-member) | $340 (non-member)[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake fee | Full testing fee each attempt[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | No waiting period; max 3 attempts per calendar year[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal | $40 renewal fee (CE credits) or re-exam $440 AST member / $540 non-member; $100 late fee[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based at PSI test centers, year-round[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program[2] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | On test day for post-graduates; on-campus candidates after graduation requirements are met[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window | Year-round, by appointment at PSI test centers[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, “The CST examination consists of 175 multiple choice questions, 150 of which are scored. The 25 pretest items (unscored) are randomly distributed”[1]
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to evaluate surgical technology knowledge. To qualify for the examination, candidates must be a graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program. State employment mandates and credential requirements vary across jurisdictions, so candidates should confirm their regional legal guidelines directly with official regulatory bodies.
Testing is computer-based and administered year-round by appointment at PSI test centers nationwide. Candidates have a 4-hour time limit to answer 175 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which are scored. Post-graduate candidates receive their score report on test day at the facility, while on-campus examinees receive scores after all graduation requirements are officially satisfied.
Examination fees are $230 for AST members and $340 for non-members. Candidates who do not pass may submit an application immediately with no waiting period, but testing is limited to a maximum of 3 attempts within 1 calendar year. Each attempt requires the full testing fee. For credential maintenance, individuals pay a $40 renewal fee using continuing education credits, or choose renewal by examination for $440 for AST members or $540 for non-members, with a $100 late fee assessed when deadlines pass.
Prepare for the CST - Certified Surgical Technician exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: Which instrument is used for clamping blood vessels?
Answer: B. Hemostat
Explanation:
Option B is correct because a hemostat, also known as a clamping forceps, features transverse serrations and a ratcheting mechanism designed to occlude blood vessels and maintain hemostasis. Option A is incorrect because a scalpel is an incising instrument used to cut tissue rather than clamp vessels. Option C is incorrect because a retractor is designed to pull back tissues and expose the operative field. Option D is incorrect because a needle holder is constructed specifically to grasp and guide suture needles through tissue. The general rule to remember is to categorize surgical instruments by functional design: cutting, clamping, retracting, and suturing.
Question: What is the primary purpose of professional ethics & legal compliance in the context of Certified Surgical Technician?
Answer: A. To ensure consistent quality and professional accountability
Explanation:
Option A is correct because professional ethics and legal compliance establish standard operating conduct, safeguarding patient welfare while maintaining professional accountability and consistent care standards. Option B is incorrect because surgical ethics and compliance prioritize patient safety rather than focusing exclusively on reducing organizational operating expenses. Option C is incorrect because legal and ethical frameworks mandate continuing competency and education instead of eliminating training requirements. Option D is incorrect because professional ethics reinforce and uphold established healthcare regulations rather than replacing them. The general rule to remember is that ethical and legal principles always center on patient safety, duty of care, and accountability.
Question: When a conflict arises between standard procedures and a unique situation in Perioperative Patient Care, what should a CST professional prioritize?
Answer: A. Safety and ethical obligations while seeking expert consultation
Explanation:
Option A is correct because preserving patient safety and fulfilling ethical obligations take precedence during unexpected clinical events, requiring prompt consultation with surgical supervisors or experienced team members. Option B is incorrect because rigid adherence to routine procedures during unusual circumstances can compromise patient outcomes when clinical needs diverge from standard protocols. Option C is incorrect because financial considerations must never supersede clinical safety or patient well-being. Option D is incorrect because perioperative decisions must follow objective clinical safety standards rather than personal preferences of external stakeholders. The general rule to remember is that patient safety and ethical responsibility override all administrative or economic concerns during perioperative care.
Begin your review by aligning your study schedule with the official candidate handbook from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Establish a foundational understanding of core operating room principles by completing practice questions in CST Surgical Asepsis & Sterile Technique and CST Sterilization & Infection Control.
Next, focus on procedural tasks and equipment identification through targeted reviews in CST Surgical Instrumentation & Equipment, CST Intraoperative Procedures, and CST Surgical Pharmacology. As you work through practice sets, write down explanations for questions answered incorrectly. Review the underlying surgical principles rather than attempting to memorize individual question phrasing.
Finally, practice answering questions under timed conditions to adapt to the 4-hour testing limit established for the 175 questions on the computer-based exam at PSI test centers. Conclude your review by checking your registration status and confirming testing center rules directly with the NBSTSA handbook before test day.
Candidates must be a graduate of a surgical technology program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Eligibility verification is managed directly by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting prior to approving examination applications.
The CST examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and testing time is 4 hours. Of the total questions, 150 are scored, while unscored pretest items are placed randomly throughout the test. Administration occurs via computer at PSI test centers nationwide by appointment.
The initial examination fee is $230 for Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) members and $340 for non-members. Applicants submit this payment directly to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting when applying. If a candidate must retake the test, the full testing fee is required for each attempt.
Candidates who do not pass may resubmit an application immediately with no waiting period. However, examinees are limited to a maximum of 3 examinations in 1 calendar year. Each testing attempt requires payment of the full testing fee of $230 for AST members or $340 for non-members.
Post-graduate candidates testing at a PSI test center receive their score report on test day before leaving the facility. On-campus examinees taking the test prior to completion receive their scores after all graduation requirements are officially satisfied and confirmed by the testing organization.
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