Eligibility & Fees

Establishing Eligibility to Test

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements and make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Before testing, individuals must first establish eligibility by submitting the appropriate examination application form along with the correct fees. NBSTSA does not refund processing fees for ineligible candidates.

Once approved, NBSTSA provides candidates with an Authorization to Test number (ATT), and both the phone number and web address to contact the testing agency to schedule the test.

NBSTSA accepts all properly completed applications from qualified applicants regardless of the applicant’s age, sex, race, religion, marital status, disability or national origin.

For a list of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved surgical technology programs go to www.caahep.org or call 727-210-2350. For a list of Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) approved surgical technology programs go to www.abhes.org or call 703-917-9503.

Eligibility Options:

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST ELIGIBILITY OPTIONS
Option	If you are...	then you need the following documentation:
1	Current or previously Certified Surgical Technologist	Evidence of CST Certification
2	Graduate of a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) www.caahep.org	Evidence of proof of graduation.
3	Graduate of a surgical technology accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) www.abhes.org	Evidence of proof of graduation.

TESTING FEES Students and First Time Test Takers
Processing Fee	AST Member Fee	All Other Applicants Examination Fee	Total Fee
$60	$130	$230	$190/$290

CURRENT OR PREVIOUS CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST renewing certification by examination.
Processing Fee	Examination Fee	Total Fee
$60	$439	$499

SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT ELIGIBILITY OPTIONS
Option	If you are...	and you have...	then you need the following documentation:
1	Current or previously Certified Surgical First Assistant		Evidence current or previous CFA certification
2	A graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical assistant program		Evidence of proof of graduation.
3	Current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)	At least 350 cases and two full years of Surgical First Assistant experience during the last four years	Evidence of Current CST certification. Two Notarized Experience Verification Forms from two surgeons or surgical supervisors documenting at least 350 cases and two full years of Surgical First Assistant experience during the last four years.

TESTING FEES Students and First Time Test Takers
Processing Fee	AST Member Fee	All Other Applicants Examination Fee	Total Fee
$60	$130	$230	$190/$290

CURRENT OR PREVIOUS CERTIFIED SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT renewing certification by examination.
Processing Fee	Examination Fee	Total Fee
$60	$439	$499