Policy Statements

 

NBSTSA Policy for Candidate Information Security

Examination security and confidentiality of all examination materials and data are of utmost concern during every phase of development administration and storage. The testing center strictly enforces examination security.
The testing company maintains an item bank for the NBSTSA that is secure and is maintained within their database with indefinite retention. In addition, candidate data and pass/fail statistics are also maintained in their database.

Internally, the following records are maintained as a paper file and are also stored electronically within the NBSTSA database:

Candidate application 

• Proof of graduation from a properly accredited surgical technology program
• Copy of payment  

The most advanced information technology security measures are in place to prevent undue access to candidate records, both internally and within the testing company database.

If a potential employer requests proof of certification for a practitioner, and the NBSTSA does not find such proof either internally or within the database of the testing company, then the practitioner is asked to provide the certificate issued for certification and the number issued along with the certificate. This policy is in place to prevent the proliferation of fraudulent credentials and to protect the patient.  

NBSTSA Policy for Late Renewal

Effective May 1, 2012

Please note that applications that were received prior to the policy change do not fall into this category.  The new policy only applies to applications that are received on or after May 1, 2012. 

Philosophy

The NBSTSA believes that renewal for certification should be through professional development, as acquired through continuing education credits, rather than by entry-level examination. Professional development allows the practitioner to keep abreast of the rapidly changing technologies necessary for intraoperative practice, strengthening the quality of the credential and increasing patient safety through better overall preparedness.

It should be noted that if credits were not completed (meaning that the correct amount were not earned within the renewal cycle) then the policy does not apply, and the certification examination must be taken for renewal.

IMPORTANT: Individuals whose certification has lapsed will be issued a new certification number and set of cycle dates upon satisfying renewal requirements.  The new certification cycle will begin on the date the application was received.

Penalty Fees

0 – 1 month past expiration:	$50 standard renewal fee + $0 penalty fee = $50.00
1 – 3 months past expiration:	$50 standard renewal fee + $50 penalty fee = $100.00
3 – 12 months past expiration:	$50 standard renewal fee + $150 penalty fee = $200.00
12 – 24 months past expiration:	$50 standard renewal fee + $250 penalty fee = $300.00
After 24 months, the applicant must re-take the certification examination and pay the fee for renewal by examination, which is $399 for current AST members or $499 for non-members.

Appeals Policy

Individuals have the right to appeal decisions made by the NBSTSA regarding their certification and/or eligibility for certification and/or recertification. Pass/fail examination scores are not appealable to the Board of Directors and is addressed under the complaint policy.

1. An individual submits a written appeal by mail to the NBSTSA Board of Directors with current correspondence associated with the appeal (i.e. examination denial notification) and supporting documentation (i.e. letters of recommendation, proof of graduation) with $100.00 non-refundable fee.
2. Appeals are heard by the NBSTSA Board of Directors at the scheduled spring & fall meetings.
3. Candidates will be notified by the NBSTSA office of the final decision from the Board of Directors. Once a decision has been made by the NBSTSA Board of Directors, there is no further appeal process.

Complaint Policy

Complaints to the NBSTSA about NBSTSA certification programs may come from applicants, examinees, certificants, and NBSTSA recognized surgical technology and surgical assisting program faculty.

1. Complaints to the NBSTSA which do not fall within the parameters of the NBSTSA Disciplinary Policy shall be processed and determined in accordance with this Policy. 

2. To be processed within this Policy, a complaint must relate directly to NBSTSA certification program policies and procedures, and may include, but is not limited to, issues regarding: testing administration center, expired authorization to test period, re-test authorization period, candidate handbook information and other NBSTSA publications. No other complaints will be considered by the NBSTSA.  

3. A complaint must be in writing addressed to the Director of Operations of the NBSTSA, be signed by the complainant(s), and be submitted to the NBSTSA no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the incident which is the subject of the alleged concern. Unsigned complaints will be returned to the complainant(s). Acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint will be provided to the complainant(s). 

4. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the complaint, it will be investigated and addressed by NBSTSA staff designated by the NBSTSA Chief Executive Officer. Once a complaint has been investigated and addressed, the outcome will be communicated by the NBSTSA to the complainant(s) in writing, and the complaint is final and will be considered closed. The resolution of the complaint is not appealable to the NBSTSA Board of Directors.  

5. Names of the complaintant(s) will be held in confidence by the NBSTSA, unless written permission is granted by the complainant(s) to reveal their name(s). This requirement shall be waived in the event the NBSTSA is required to provide any information or documentation as determined by a bona fide judicial or governmental process.

Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) Eligibility Policy

Candidates may establish eligibility to take the CSFA examination under the following conditions:

 

1. Candidate is a graduate from a NBSTSA recognized surgical first assisting program. Candidates applying under this eligibility are required to submit one of the following: official notarized letter (on institutional letterhead) from the program director, certificate of completion, or official transcripts. 

2. Candidate holds current CST certification plus minimum 350 cases and 2 years of experience as a surgical first assistant during the last 4. Candidates applying under this eligibility are required to submit two notarized Surgical Experience Verification Forms completed by two separate direct supervisors (MD or Surgical Supervisor) with case logs.

3. Candidate is a current or previous CSFA certificant renewing (must provide evidence of NBSTSA certification). 
4. Candidate is a graduate from a NBSTSA recognized surgical first assisting program that has had accreditation revoked, rescinded, or failed to renew accreditation. Candidates are eligible to take the CSFA examination if the candidate was actively enrolled or graduated from the program at any time it held the appropriate accreditation.
5. Candidate is a graduate from a surgical first assisting program undergoing accreditation. Candidate is eligible to take the CSFA examination as long as they were actively enrolled when the accreditation site visit occurred and are subsequently eligible upon the official granting of accreditation.
   
   Beginning January 1, 2012
6. Candidate holds current Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) or Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) certification and has an Associate’s Degree or higher. Candidates applying under this eligibility are required to provide evidence of current certification by the National Surgical Assistants Association (NSAA) or the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) along with official transcripts of the minimum of Associate’s Degree. Candidate is required to have evidence of 50 Continuing Education Credits earned within two years prior to the application date. CE Credits must meet the criteria as defined by the most current edition of the “AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST & CSFA.” Candidate is also required to provide two verification forms demonstrating operative case experience as defined by the current edition of the AST Core Curriculum for Surgical Assisting.

The CSFA examination authorization to test time limit is three months. Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing may re-test after three months from the last examination date. Candidates are required to pay the total testing fee (processing and examination) each time to test. Candidates may not test more than three times during any calendar year. Individuals that successfully renew have the option to print their CSFA certificate without the CST credential attached. 

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Eligibility Policy

Candidates may establish eligibility to take the CST examination under the following conditions:

 

1. Candidate is a graduate from a NBSTSA recognized surgical technology program. Candidates applying under this eligibility are required to submit one of the following: official notarized letter (on institutional letterhead) from the program director, graduation certificate or official transcripts. Official transcripts received by the NBSTSA must be in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution.
2. Candidate is a current or previous CST certificant renewing (must provide evidence of NBSTSA certification).
3. Candidate is a graduate from a NBSTSA recognized surgical technology program that has had accreditation revoked, rescinded, or failed to renew accreditation. Candidates are eligible to take the CST examination if the candidate was actively enrolled or graduated from the program at any time it held the appropriate accreditation.
4. Candidate is a graduate from a surgical technology program undergoing accreditation. Candidate is eligible to take the CST examination as long as they were actively enrolled when the accreditation site visit occurred and are subsequently eligible upon the official granting of accreditation.
   
   Beginning January 1, 2012 

5. Candidate who has successfully completed military training in surgical technology. Candidate is eligible to take the CST examination as long as they were actively (or subsequently) enrolled when the accreditation site visit occurred, regardless of the current accreditation status of the military training program.
   
   Required documentation to establish eligibility include a DD214 demonstrating graduation from a military training program and/ or a graduation certificate. A notarized verification form from the candidate’s commanding officer or current surgical department director attesting to completion of surgical case experiences as defined by the most current edition of the Core Curriculum for Surgical Technology. Clinical case verification is waived in the event the candidate has graduated from a military program currently accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES.  

The CST examination authorization to test time limit is three months. Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing may re-test after six weeks from the last examination date. Candidates are required to pay the total testing fee (processing and examination) each time to test. Candidates may not test more than three times during any calendar year.

Use of Trademark

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)® and Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)® are registered trademarks of The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and may only be used by individuals who have taken and passed the national certification examination and hold a valid certification issued by NBSTSA. No other usage of these trademarks may occur without the expressed written approval of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Denial/Revocation of Certification Policy

NBSTSA may consider revocation or denial of certification. Examples of the activities that may cause revocation or denial of certification include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possession, use, or attempt to use altered or falsified certification cards or certificates;
• Obtaining or attempting to obtain certification or recertification by fraud or deception;
• Knowingly assisting another to obtain or attempt to obtain certification or recertification by fraud or deception;
• Unauthorized possession or distribution of examination materials including reproduction of examination questions;
• Violation of examination rules, including but not limited to cheating on the examination.

NBSTSA retains the sole authority to amend or repeal its policies regarding denial or revocation of certification at any time including, but not limited to, the authority to add new grounds for denial or revocation and add provisions for suspension of certification.