Surgical Technology Certification

Today, most employers prefer to hire certified surgical technologists. They look at the level and quality of your education as well your work-related externship experience and your certifications.

At Herzing University, the Surgical Technology curriculum is geared to ensure that our graduates become fully certified. Graduates of the Herzing Surgical Tech degree program have multiple opportunities for certification:

• Technologists may obtain voluntary professional certification from the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist by graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing a national certification examination.
• They may then use the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation. However, in order to maintain certification, certified surgical technologists must earn 60 hours of approved continuing education over a 4-year period or retake and pass the certifying exam at the end of the 4-year period.
• Certification also may be obtained from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To qualify to take the exam, candidates follow one of three paths: complete an accredited training program, undergo a 2-year hospital on-the-job training program, or acquire 7 years of experience working in the field. After passing the exam, individuals may use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, TS-C (NCCT). This certification must be renewed every 5 years through either continuing education or reexamination.

Go to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for more information about certification exams.

Herzing University student data for Surgical Technology programs