NBSTSA Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the NBSTSA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

NBSTSA exam key facts

The NBSTSA CST exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. Source
The NBSTSA CST exam is four hours long, and candidates get no additional time for breaks. Source
The NBSTSA CST exam application fee is $340 for non-members and $230 for AST members. Source
Unsuccessful CST candidates may resubmit an application immediately but are limited to three NBSTSA exams in one calendar year, and must resubmit the application and payment each time. Source

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📋 NBSTSA Exam Format at a Glance

175

Questions

240 min

Time Limit

65.00%

Passing Score

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📚 NBSTSA Topics to Study (13)

Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment · 7 cards Applied Methods and Techniques · 6 cards Assessment and Evaluation · 6 cards Communication and Documentation · 6 cards Continuing Education Requirements · 6 cards Core Concepts and Principles · 6 cards Industry Best Practices · 6 cards Professional Standards and Ethics · 6 cards Safety and Compliance · 6 cards Accreditation and Recognition · 5 cards Career Advancement · 5 cards Eligibility Requirements · 5 cards Increased Professional Credibility · 5 cards

✍️ Sample NBSTSA Questions & Answers

1. What quality assurance measure supports applied methods and techniques?

✓ Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards

Ongoing quality assurance through self-assessment, peer review, and standards adherence ensures continuous improvement.

2. What quality assurance measure supports industry best practices?

✓ Regular self-assessment, peer review, and adherence to established standards

Ongoing quality assurance through self-assessment, peer review, and standards adherence ensures continuous improvement.

3. What is the foundational principle of safety and compliance in the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certified field?

✓ Maintaining competence, integrity, and service to stakeholders

The foundational principles of safety and compliance in National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certified center on maintaining competence, integrity, and quality service.

4. How does NBSTSA certification contribute to a surgical technologist’s professional credibility?

✓ It verifies that the individual meets recognized standards of knowledge and skill.

NBSTSA certification significantly enhances a surgical technologist's professional credibility by verifying that the individual has met nationally recognized standards of knowledge and skill. This official recognition assures healthcare employers and colleagues that the certified professional possesses the necessary competencies to perform their duties safely and effectively. It serves as a benchmark of professional excellence and dedication, fostering trust in their abilities.

5. What additional requirement must be fulfilled to take the CSFA exam besides graduation from a surgical assisting program?

✓ Completion of a specified number of supervised surgical cases.

To sit for the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) exam, candidates must not only graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical assisting program but also complete a required number of supervised surgical cases to demonstrate hands-on experience.

6. What is the purpose of requiring candidates to graduate from an accredited program?

✓ To confirm the program meets national standards for surgical education.

Accreditation ensures that surgical technology and assisting programs meet specific educational and clinical standards, preparing students adequately for certification and safe practice in the field.

🎯 Free NBSTSA Practice Tests

Surgical Instrumentation and Equipment · 7 questions Industry Best Practices · 6 questions Core Concepts and Principles · 6 questions Assessment and Evaluation · 6 questions Safety and Compliance · 6 questions Professional Standards and Ethics · 6 questions Applied Methods and Techniques · 6 questions Continuing Education Requirements · 6 questions Communication and Documentation · 6 questions Eligibility Requirements · 5 questions

📖 NBSTSA Guides & Articles

Your NBSTSA Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 NBSTSA Flashcards (75)🏆 NBSTSA Exam Simulation

What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for NBSTSA

An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:

A timed, full-length NBSTSA mock exam — 175 questions in 240 minutes with a 65% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
A fixed NBSTSA question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
A printable NBSTSA cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
NBSTSA flashcards built from the same question bank.
Free NBSTSA practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.

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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

nbstsa.org — Eligibility, fees, exam format, renewal, retake policy, time limit · verified Oct 2026