If you’ve spent the last year or two learning to set up a back table, pass instruments, and maintain a sterile field, the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)® credential is how you prove it to employers. Awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), the CST is the most widely recognized certification for surgical technologists in the United States.

Deciding when to test, figuring out the application, and planning your study time can feel overwhelming on top of finishing your program. In this guide, we’ll walk you through who the exam is for, the official eligibility pathways, a realistic study plan, career and salary data, how to maintain your credential, and where you can go next.

Who Should Take the NBSTSA CST Exam?

The CST exam is built for entry-level surgical technologists, sometimes called scrub techs or surgical techs. You’re a strong candidate if you are:

  • A student in an accredited surgical technology program: Most candidates test at the end of their program, often on campus with their class.
  • A recent graduate: If you graduated from an accredited program but haven’t tested yet, you can apply and test at a PSI testing center.
  • A military-trained surgical technologist: Graduates of military surgical technology training can qualify with documentation of their training.
  • A former CST whose credential lapsed: Previously certified CSTs can retake the exam to regain their credential.

Who Might Want to Wait?

If you’re still early in your program, focus on your coursework and clinical case requirements first. The exam assumes you’ve scrubbed real cases and can picture the flow of a procedure. It’s also worth waiting a few weeks if your practice scores are well below the passing threshold, since each attempt requires the full fee.

What Are the NBSTSA CST Eligibility Requirements?

According to the CST Candidate Handbook (2025, 1st Edition) and NBSTSA’s CST eligibility page, you can qualify through one of three pathways:

  • Accredited program graduate: You graduated from a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). You’ll need a diploma or transcript as proof.
  • Military training graduate: You completed a military surgical technology program, documented by evidence of graduation, a DD214, or a Joint Services Transcript.
  • Current or previously certified CST: You provide evidence of your CST certification.

There is no experience-hours pathway. If your program isn’t CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited, you aren’t eligible under the graduate pathway. NBSTSA is the sole authority on eligibility, so if you have any doubt about your program’s accreditation status, contact your program or NBSTSA before applying.

How to Apply

  1. Create or log in to your NBSTSA profile and apply online through the CST first-time and retake applicants page. Mail-in applications are accepted but may slow processing.
  2. Submit your supporting documentation (transcript, diploma, or military records). Military base applicants must apply at least 45 days before their requested exam date.
  3. Pay the exam fee: $230 for AST members or $340 for non-members, per the 2025 handbook.
  4. Schedule your exam. If you’re testing with your class, your school coordinates the on-campus session. Otherwise, you’ll schedule at a PSI testing center.

You may reschedule a PSI appointment once at no charge if you call at least 48 hours before your session. If you don’t pass, you can retest up to three times in a calendar year with no waiting period, paying the full fee each time.

How Long Should You Study for the NBSTSA CST Exam?

Your program is your primary preparation, so most candidates need a focused review rather than learning from scratch. A practical plan is 6 to 10 weeks of dedicated review at the end of your program, studying about 5 to 8 hours a week.

  • Recent graduates with strong clinicals: Six weeks is often enough if your baseline practice scores are near or above passing.
  • Candidates who’ve been out of school a while or are retesting: Plan for 10 weeks or more, and start with a full-length practice exam to find your gaps.

Here’s a sample 8-week plan weighted to the CST Examination Content Outline (effective January 1, 2023):

  • Week 1: Take a mixed baseline quiz. Review Preoperative Preparation: scrubbing, gowning and gloving, opening sterile supplies, positioning, prepping, and draping.
  • Weeks 2 through 4: Focus on Intraoperative Procedures (68 questions). Work through procedures by specialty, and review instruments, sutures and needles, hemostasis, counts, specimens, and emergencies.
  • Week 5: Cover Anatomy and Physiology, tying each body system to the procedures performed on it.
  • Week 6: Review Microbiology, Surgical Pharmacology, and Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance, including sterilization methods and chemical and biological indicators.
  • Week 7: Cover Postoperative Procedures and Administrative and Personnel topics like electrical safety, legal concepts, and preference cards.
  • Week 8: Take a full-length timed practice exam, review every miss, and finish with short mixed sets on your weakest subjects.

What Careers Can the NBSTSA CST Support?

Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help surgeons during procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), surgical technologists held about 118,400 jobs in 2025. Most work in state, local, and private hospitals (71%), followed by physicians’ offices (11%) and outpatient care centers (10%).
Common settings and roles include:

  • Hospital main OR: Scrubbing a wide range of cases across specialties, often with on-call and weekend shifts.
  • Ambulatory surgery centers: Faster-paced, scheduled outpatient cases, often with more predictable hours.
  • Specialty teams: Many CSTs build expertise in areas like cardiovascular, orthopedics, neurosurgery, or labor and delivery.
  • Travel surgical technologist: Short-term contracts in facilities around the country, usually after gaining experience.
  • Education and leadership: Experienced CSTs may become preceptors, lead techs, or surgical technology program instructors.

Certification matters for employment. Many employers prefer or require certification, and some states require surgical technologists to be certified, so check your state’s rules and job postings in your area.

What Is the Salary for a Certified Surgical Technologist?

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports a median annual wage of $64,650 for surgical technologists in May 2025. Pay varies with location, specialty, experience, shift differentials, and on-call pay.
The job outlook is positive. BLS projects employment of surgical assistants and technologists to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 8,600 openings each year on average.

How Do You Maintain the CST Credential?

The CST renews every two years. According to AST’s CE policies for the two-year certification cycle, you need:

  • 30 continuing education (CE) credits earned during your certification period.
  • At least 4 live CE credits among those 30.
  • BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses can count toward CE.

Renewal is a two-step process: submit your CE credits to AST, then complete the NBSTSA renewal application and fee. NBSTSA recommends submitting CE credits 60 days before your expiration date. Extra credits don’t roll over to the next cycle. You can also choose to recertify by retaking the exam instead of submitting CE. See NBSTSA’s renewals and recertification page for current fees and deadlines.

What Certifications Stack Well With the CST?

The best next credential depends on where you want your career to go:

  • Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)®: Also awarded by NBSTSA, the CSFA is the natural next step if you want to move into the first-assistant role, handling tasks like retraction, hemostasis, and closure. NBSTSA requires graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical first assistant program to sit for it.
  • Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST): Offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), this credential suits CSTs who enjoy instrument reprocessing and want to move into sterile processing or leadership there.
  • Life support credentials: Employers commonly require BLS, ACLS, and PALS can also count toward your CST continuing education.
  • A degree for education or leadership: An associate or bachelor’s degree can open doors to program instructor, clinical coordinator, or OR management roles.

Start Preparing for the NBSTSA CST Exam With Pocket Prep

Pocket Prep’s NBSTSA CST practice questions include 750 questions with detailed explanations, plus a full-length mock exam that mirrors the real 175-question test. Quick 10 and Question of the Day make it easy to review between classes or clinical shifts, and study reminders help you stay consistent. You’ve done the hard work in your program, and a steady plan will help you finish strong.