History of the NBSTSA
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA),
formerly the LCC-ST was established in 1974 as the certifying agency for
surgical technologists. NBSTSA is solely
responsible for all decisions regarding certification; from determining eligibility to maintaining, denying, granting and renewing the designation. In 2005 the NBSTSA relocated
its headquarters to Littleton, Colorado.
The NBSTSA is governed by a nine (9) member Board of Directors composed of:
- Six Certified Surgical Technologists (CST’s), and Certified Surgical First Assistant (CST/CFA),
- One public member
- One surgeon; as appointed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- One surgical technology educator.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) reviews and grants accreditation to the NBSTSA for its administration of both the CST and CFA certifications. The NCCA evaluates certifying agencies on a comprehensive
set of criteria, including appraising the appropriate certification requirements, assessing the occupation being certified, and weighing both the validity and reliability of the certifying examinations, as well as the extent to which the public interest is protected.
The purpose of NBSTSA is to determine, through examination, if an individual
has acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge of surgical technology
or surgical first assisting. In addition, through the acquisition of continuing
education credits or by re-examination, CST’s certified after August
31, 1977 and all CST/CFAs are required to stay up to date with changes in the medical field.