Current News

The newly revised CFA Practice Examination is now available from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting!

* Utilization of the CFA Practice Examination does not guarantee a successful outcome
on the National CFA Examination.

Please note: Effective February 1, 2010 candidates must correctly answer
112 questions to pass the CFA examination.

Click here to link to the CFA Practice Examination now.

Celebrate the New Year with the NBSTSA by volunteering ….NBSTSA Committee Appointments are wanted!

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) is seeking Certified Surgical Technologists and Certified First Assistants to serve on their Surgical Technology and First Assistant Examination Review Committees (CST-ERC and CFA-ERC).

NBSTSA Examination Review Committee members are responsible for reviewing, editing, referencing and categorizing examination questions in accordance with the Examination Content Outline as developed from the Job Task Analysis.

Individuals interested in serving the NBSTSA must submit a Consent to Serve and resume for consideration by March 23, 2009. Individuals appointed will be notified by May 1, 2009. For more information contact the NBSTSA at 800-707-0057.

2009 NBSTSA Scholarship Applications are now available!

The NBSTSA scholarship is available to any student currently enrolled in a NBSTSA recognized surgical technology or surgical assisting program.

Scholarship applications will not be considered unless completely filled out, signed and accompanied by all appropriate supporting documentation. Applications must be received by the NBSTSA March 31, 2009. Scholarship recipients will receive notification from the NBSTSA by June 1, 2009. Additional scholarship applications can be downloaded by clicking here.

CST Practice Examination

So you want to know how you match up to the content and difficulty of the NBSTSA CST National Examination? Sign up and take the newly revised CST Practice Examination administered through AMP! The CST Practice Examination was developed using the same procedures as the actual CST examination. The CST Practice Examination is an excellent study tool for anyone and everyone interested in evaluating their knowledge related to the National CST Examination. The cost is $40; click the Practice Examination link today. Stay tuned for the release of the CFA Practice Examination in summer 2009.

The NBSTSA has currently discontinued the administration and development of both Cardiovascular Surgery (CVS) and Orthopedic Surgery (OS) specialty examinations.

Practitioners holding either the CVS or OS designation will maintain their CVS and/or OS credential designation so long as their primary (CST, CFA, and CST/CFA) credential is maintained with no lapse in the certification cycle. There are currently no additional renewal requirements or mechanisms for renewal of the CVS and OS credentials. Practitioners allowing their primary (CST, CFA, and CST/CFA) credentials to lapse lose the CVS or OS designation with no possible renewal.

NBSTSA Announcement for CST and CFA candidates testing between August 1 and August 31, 2008.

Candidates testing for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and Certified First Assistant (CFA) examination programs between August 1 and August 31, 2008 will be subject to a delayed score report status related to their examination results. Final examination scoring for candidates testing in the CST and CFA programs during this time period will be completed six weeks from the date of examination, at which time candidates will be notified of their official score status.

You, the NBSTSA, and AMP!

The NBSTSA, the credential organization for surgical technologists and surgical assistants, is proud to announce a new relationship

with Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) for examination development and administrative services.

Applied Measurement Professionals Inc. (AMP) provides certification organizations, governmental agencies, professional associations and private industry with innovative measurement, assessment and management solutions that focus on the appropriate application of technology and personal customer service. The AMP Assessment Center Network has provided computer-based testing to over one million candidates. AMP is dedicated to providing clients with “Technology That Works and People Who Care.”

Starting January 1, 2008…You, the NBSTSA, and AMP.

Recognizing competency through professional credentialing in surgical technology and surgical assisting.