CST Certification 2025
Surgical technologists are vital to the success of surgery. They help prepare the operating room for procedures and ensure that all equipment is sterile before and after surgery.
They also pass instruments to surgeons, remove and retract tissue, and suture incision sites. They must have a cool head and a quick mind to perform their duties in this high-risk, high-pressure job.
Free CST Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Test Online
Certified Surgical Technologist Program
The certified surgical technologist program prepares students to be entry-level surgical technologists in the health care field. They learn how to provide quality surgical care while ensuring patient safety and comfort.
Surgical technologists work with surgeons to prepare the operating room for surgery, sterilize equipment and keep tools organized. They also perform a variety of other tasks, including monitoring patients’ health and providing emotional support to them before, during and after surgeries.
A surgical technologist can advance their career through two main paths: becoming a first assistant or specializing in a specific area of surgery, such as neuro, eye or orthopedics. Both pathways require additional training and experience.
Graduates of an accredited program may apply for a certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Once certified, they can find employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, cath labs and other medical facilities.
Most programs last nine to 24 months and result in a certificate or associate degree. Admission requirements can vary from college to college; check with each school for their specific criteria.
CST Exam Prep
CST exam prep is a critical step in obtaining the certification you need to begin a career as a Certified Surgical Technologist. You should plan out a study schedule and review your candidate handbook. This will give you a list of resources you can use, and it also provides an examination content area outline.
One important way to prepare for the CST exam is to take practice tests. This will help you ease anxiety and bridge any gaps in your course content.
Another helpful tip is to try and create lists, flashcards, pictures or diagrams of key points. This will make it easier for you to remember the information and understand it better when taking the actual exam.
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting administers the CST exam, which consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and 25 unscored ones. The test takes four hours to complete.
The exam focuses on the knowledge and skills that make up the core body of knowledge for surgical technologists. It is designed to assess a broad range of knowledge and skills that are common to competent entry-level surgical technologists across a variety of settings and geographical locations.
Certified Surgical Technologist Jobs
A Certified Surgical Technologist is an important part of a surgeon’s team. Their duties include preparing the operating room and assisting with surgeries. They often work long hours, especially during surgery, so they must be highly alert and ready to perform their duties when needed.
Surgical technologists work in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and doctors’ offices. They also travel for temporary assignments.
Before an operation, they prepare the surgical suite and sterile instruments, including scissors and sutures. They may also help a surgeon into fresh gowns and gloves.
After the surgery is complete, they clean the operating room and re-sterilize instruments, equipment, and surfaces. They also ensure that the patient’s vital signs and charts are accurate.
The typical salary for a surgical technologist is $48,530. Surgical technicians typically work full time, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts.
Certified Surgical Technologist School
Surgical technologists play an important role in ensuring the health of patients by preparing the operating room and supplies for surgery. They work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other allied health professionals to provide patient care before, during and after procedures.
Getting trained as a Certified Surgical Technologist is a great way to start your career in this rewarding field. However, you must choose the right program and ensure that it is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Community colleges and vocational schools offer diploma, certificate and associate degrees in surgical technology. These programs vary in length and cost, so be sure to compare prices and determine your goals before selecting a school.
Surgical technologists are in high demand and are expected to grow at a faster rate than other healthcare professions, so you should find a good job soon after you graduate from your program. While this job is not as lucrative as a nurse’s, it is a great way to earn an income. It also offers a low stress level and plenty of opportunities to improve and get promoted, making it a satisfying career that has excellent job satisfaction ratings.
CST Exam NYC
Surgical technologists are a key part of the surgical care team, working closely with surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists. They ensure aseptic conditions in the operating room and clean and prepare all instruments that may be used during surgery.
To become a certified surgical technologist, you need to complete an accredited program and pass the cst exam. This test measures your knowledge of the most important topics and procedures you’ll need to know to be successful in this career.
Mandl School, the College of Allied Health offers an accredited program in New York City that prepares you for the cst exam. It also includes hands-on experience at a local health care facility to help you gain the practical skills you need for success in the field.
The CST exam is a national certification that shows you meet a set of rigorous knowledge standards and are prepared to provide safe, effective patient care. You can apply for membership in the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), which provides resources, discounts on exam fees and other benefits after you pass the exam.
CST Exam Questions
The NBSTSA-CST exam is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates a Certified Surgical Technologist’s skills in various areas of surgical technology practice. Successful completion of the exam signifies a technologist’s proficiency in these critical areas, reflecting their commitment to providing safe and effective care to patients.
A Certified Surgical Technologist is an allied health professional who works as part of the team delivering surgical care. They use their knowledge and skills to assist surgeons, surgical assistants, circulator nurses and anesthesia providers in the operating room.
After graduating from an accredited surgical technology program, a Certified Surgical Technologist can become certified by passing a national examination. This certification makes graduates more competitive in the job market and enhances their earnings potential.
To prepare for the NBSTSA-CST exam, review the examination content outline and reference textbook list. This will help you determine what topics you should focus your study time on and how you can best study for the NBSTSA-CST test. Also, fill out the CST Study Evaluation to identify your current level of competency.
Certified Surgical Technologist CST Salary
Surgical techs are one of the highest-paid allied health professionals. They earn an average salary of $48,530 per year. However, there are many opportunities for surgical techs to take on specialty roles that pay even more than this.
A surgical technologist, also known as an operating room technician or scrub tech, works alongside surgeons to ensure that all procedures run smoothly. They also make sure that all of the equipment is in working order and sterile.
In addition to these responsibilities, surgical techs are expected to be available at all times for emergency situations. They may work long hours and need to be prepared for any emergency that comes their way.
Surgical technologists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities around the country. They usually complete a short training program right out of high school, but some choose to pursue a certificate or associate degree program in this field.
Certified Surgical Technologist Duties
The operating room is a busy and fast-paced environment. When a patient’s life is on the line, surgeons, nurses and other medical staff must work together to make sure that the surgery goes smoothly.
Surgical technologists play an important role in this environment, as they help ensure that the surgical team is working in a sterile, safe environment. Their duties include preparing the operating room, sterilizing equipment and making sure that all supplies are ready for use.
Certified surgical technologist duties also include assisting the surgeon with a variety of tasks during an operation. They may help the surgeon with draping patients, passing instruments, retractors and sutures, securing hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions for the surgical procedure and ensuring that all specimens are handled properly.
Surgical technologists are also responsible for cleaning the operating room after each operation. They are expected to be vigilant and thorough when handling equipment, as failure to clean the room can lead to infection that could result in a patient’s death.
Certified Surgical Technologist Question and Answers
A surgical technologist is an allied health professional who works as part of the surgical team. Individuals can get the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certificate from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) by passing a thorough test.
A certificate program that includes specific education and training is required to become a surgical technologist. Surgical Technologists are certified after passing the national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting and completing a CAAHEP-accredited program or another programmatically-accredited surgical technology program.
Surgical technicians work together with and help surgeons, nurses, and other members of the health care team throughout a surgical procedure.
The average yearly pay for surgical technicians is $53,590, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The average hourly compensation for a Surgical Technologist is $26, however the range is often between $23 and $28.
Yes, with additional experience and education, you can advance your career such as becoming first surgical assistants or registered nurses.
In Florida, the average Certified Surgical Technologist salary is $50,536.
- GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL (FOUR YEARS)- First, students must obtain a high school diploma or GED. Most postsecondary surgical technologist programs need this.
- EARN AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE (TWO YEARS)- Aspiring surgical technologists should participate in an accredited training program at a community college.
- GET HANDS-ON PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – While finishing an educational program, it is encouraged that you gain as much hands-on experience as possible through internships, job shadowing, or other means. When time comes to look for a career, these experiences can make a tremendous impact in terms of practical knowledge as well as professional relationships.
- PREPARATION FOR CERTIFICATION EXAMS- Graduates should prepare for one of the national certification tests offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting after graduation. While not all states require certification, having it demonstrates dedication to the profession and considerably boosts the chances of finding work.
A surgical technologist must have several years of operating room experience, meet the prerequisites and educational requirements to apply to and complete an accredited surgical first assistant program, and then pass the exam to become a certified surgical first assistant (CSFA).
- Educational Program – Aspiring surgical technologists can choose from a variety of authorized programs that can lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree. Individuals can complete certificates and diplomas from vocational and trade schools in about a year.
- Military Experience – Individuals who have completed a surgical technologist training program within the United States Armed Forces within the last five years are eligible to take the certification exam.
- Work Experience – Those pursuing a surgical technologist certification without a degree or certificate must have at least three years of surgical technologist work experience. You must have three years of full-time experience working under the supervision of a licensed physician, registered nurse (RN), or primary care practitioner and must complete it within the last 5 years.
- We recommend that you note areas in which you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Study those topics, or even attend a class or seminar. Remember that the CST exam is a broad knowledge-based assessment that does not focus on a single subject or surgical specialization.
- Review your candidate handbook, which includes a content area outline, recommended reference list, and example questions.
- Take the CST Practice Examinations because it can also help you to prepare and pass the examination.
As a Surgical Technologist at HCA, you are in charge of aiding with the delivery of high-quality surgical care. During surgical procedures, you will be responsible for collaborating with the circulating perioperative nurse. You are in charge of all major surgical specialty areas, such as obtaining and preparing sterile supplies and equipment, as well as preparing/maintaining the sterile field. You shall adhere to current AORN and regulatory standards, as well as the System’s policies and procedures.
The duties of a Surgical technologist include aiding with surgeries in an operating room. They collect and organize all required tools for these surgeries and monitor a patient’s vital signs throughout surgery.
Responsibilities of a Surgical Technologist:
- Creating hygienic operating rooms for procedures.
- Sterilizing of Equipments.
- Keeping enough surgical materials on hand.
- Preparing patients for surgery by cleaning and disinfecting incision areas.
- Assisting in surgery by passing instruments and other materials.
- Tracking surgical supplies.
- Keeping current with surgical technology, medical terminology, and procedures.
- Working effectively with surgeons, surgical assistants, nurses, and the surgical team.
- Assisting in the provision of excellent patient care.
Here are 10 Best Surgical Technology Programs Accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES in the Nation for 2025
- Gwinnett Technical College – Lawrenceville, GA
- Southwestern College – San Diego, CA
- East Central Community College – Decatur, MS
- Owens Community College – Toledo , OH
- Skyline College – San Bruno, CA
- Pearl River Community College – Hattiesburg, MS
- Lord Fairfax Community College – Middletown, VA
- Bevill State Community College – Sumiton, AL
- Savannah Technical College – Savannah, GA
- San Juan College – Farmington, NM
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Surgical Technologists:
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Offices of Physicians
- Employment Services
- Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals