CST® Student Examination Registration
What is changing about student examination registration?
Beginning January 5, 2027, only NBSTSA® will manage the student registration process for the CST® examinations. This change is designed to provide students and educators with a more streamlined, transparent and efficient registration experience.
When will the new registration process begin?
The new student examination registration process is expected to begin January 5, 2027.
What is the new student examination fee?
Starting January 2027, the discounted student rate for the CST® and CSFA® examinations will be $220 (regular price is $340 and $350, respectively). We will also offer a discounted rate of $230 for AST members taking the CST® exam, and discounted rate of $240 for AST members taking the CSFA® exam .
For a complete list of prices, including military rates, visit https://www.nbstsa.org/cst-csfa-faqs .
Will students still need an AST membership to register for the CST® examination?
As an independent certifying body, NBSTSA cannot legally require membership in any professional association for its certification exams. Students do not need to be members to receive the deeply discounted student examination fee.
However, AST membership offers discounted exam fees for non-student candidates, along with opportunities for education, advocacy, networking and continued engagement with the surgical technology profession.
Will prepaid CST® examinations included in AST Gold Bundles still be honored after December 31, 2026?
Yes. All AST Gold Bundles paid for on or before December 31, 2026, will be honored. Students with a prepaid examination included in an eligible Gold Bundle will not lose that benefit because of the transition.
NBSTSA® and AST will provide any additional instructions needed to ensure eligible students can use their prepaid examinations.
What will AST include in its new bundle?
NBSTSA® owns and administers the CST® and CSFA® examinations and is responsible for establishing eligibility requirements, approving candidates, administering the examinations, awarding credentials and maintaining certification standards. Therefore, NBSTSA® can only answer questions related to examination eligibility, registration, testing and certification.
AST determines the products, resources and benefits included in its membership and educational offerings. Please visit the AST website or refer to communications directly from AST for the latest information about its offerings.
Will NBSTSA® offer a bundled package?
No. NBSTSA® will offer the examinations and the practice test separately so students can select the resources that best meet their needs.
The CST® examinations are each offered at the deeply discounted student rate of $220. Starting January 2027, students also have the option to purchase the new NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub for $75—the same price for the CST® practice test.
The NBSTSA® Interactive Practice Test Platform is an optional preparation resource and is not required to apply for or take the CST® or CSFA® examination.
What action should educators or students take now?
The essential steps are not changing. Students will continue to visit nbstsa.org/cst-certification to confirm their eligibility and apply to take the CST® examination. Educators will continue to receive the number of examination vouchers needed for their eligible students. However, educators will only have to interact with NBSTSA® to register students and pay the fees.
Detailed streamlined instructions will be provided at the time of launch.
CST® Examination Preparation
What study resources or preparation tools does NBSTSA® recommend?
Students may use the new NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub, a realistic exam simulation paired with individualized feedback. It is designed to help students evaluate their readiness, understand missed questions and focus their remaining study time where it can make the greatest difference. The NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub is the only study tool offered directly by NBSTSA®.
Students can also start with the current CST® examination content outlines and recommended reference materials. The NBSTSA® Candidate Handbook, examination content outline and reference list can help students understand the subjects covered and organize their study time.
What is the NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub?
The platform is a personalized exam-preparation experience developed specifically for CST® candidates. It combines a realistic, timed practice examination with detailed explanations, interactive follow-up support and an individualized diagnostic report.
It is not a question bank or another general study guide. It is designed to simulate the testing experience and help candidates make more informed decisions about their remaining preparation.
How does the practice examination work?
The platform includes a 150-question timed practice examination designed to be completed in one three-hour sitting. Students should choose a quiet setting, minimize interruptions and complete the full examination at one time to experience the pace, concentration and time management required on test day.
Completing the exam under realistic conditions also provides a more accurate assessment of the student’s readiness.
What kind of feedback will students receive?
After the timed sitting is complete, students receive individualized feedback drawn exclusively from an NBSTSA®-approved knowledge base. The platform explains the reasoning behind each correct answer and why the other answer choices are incorrect.
Students can also interact with the material to:
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Ask why an answer is correct or incorrect.
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Clarify concepts they do not fully understand.
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Identify relevant reference materials.
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Find additional resources for continued study.
Does the platform provide a readiness score or diagnostic report?
Students receive an individualized diagnostic report that identifies strengths and knowledge gaps by CST® examination content category. The report helps students see where they are performing well and where additional review may be beneficial.
The report should be treated as a preparation tool—not a guarantee that a student will pass the CST® examination.
How long will students have access to the platform?
Students will have 60 days from the date of purchase to access the platform.
After completing the timed practice examination, students can use the remainder of the 60-day period to revisit the same 150 questions, review explanations, explore their session analysis, access recommended resources and work through areas that need additional attention.
Can students share their results with their instructors?
Yes. Students can share their diagnostic reports with an instructor or professor. Educators can use the results to help students interpret their performance, identify priority areas and build a more focused study plan.
The combination of individualized results and educator guidance can help students prepare smarter rather than simply studying longer.
Will educators be able to see students’ results automatically?
Students control whether they share their diagnostic reports with an instructor or professor. Educators will not automatically receive an individual student’s results simply because the student is enrolled in their program.
Is the interactive practice test required?
No. The practice test is completely optional and is not part of the eligibility or application requirements for the CST® examination. It is an additional preparation resource for students who want a realistic exam simulation, personalized feedback and greater insight into their readiness.
How much will the interactive practice test cost?
The NBSTSA® Exam prep Hub will cost $75. This fee is separate from the deeply discounted $220 CST® student examination fee.
Can you purchase more than one interactive practice test?
Yes, additional tests are available for $75 each; however, the questions will be the same for year 1. NBSTSA® plans to diversify practice tests in upcoming years.
Does performance on the practice test affect CST® examination eligibility or results?
No. Practice-test performance does not affect a student’s eligibility to take the CST® examination, and the results do not become part of the candidate’s official certification record.
The platform is intended solely to help students evaluate their preparedness and guide their continued study.
Does purchasing the practice test guarantee that a student will pass the CST® examination?
No preparation tool can guarantee a passing score. The platform provides a realistic testing experience, individualized diagnostic information and targeted learning support, but students remain responsible for completing a comprehensive course of study and preparing across all CST® examination content categories.
Can educators preview the NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub?
Yes. NBSTSA® will provide program directors with an access code for the complete platform experience, mirroring what a student receives with a purchase. This will allow educators to take the full practice examination, explore the AI-powered feedback and diagnostic report, and understand how students can use the platform to guide their preparation.
Because the tool provides an individualized experience based on each user’s responses, full access will give educators the best understanding of how it can support each student’s unique study needs.
If a Gold Bundle was purchased prior to December 31, can students still take the NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub?
Yes. NBSTSA® offers its examination and preparation resources à la carte, allowing students to choose the tools that best fit their individual study needs and learning styles. A student with a Gold Bundle may purchase the optional NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub for $75 at any time. Students will have 60 days from the date of purchase to complete the practice exam, review their results and explore the platform’s diagnostic tools.
Can students purchase the NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub even if they are not sitting for the CST® exam?
Yes, the NBSTSA® Exam Prep Hub is the most comprehensive, responsive and personalized practice test for surgical technology students. While the platform is meant to be paired with the NBSTSA® CST® exam, anyone can purchase an interactive practice test.