2026 Student Academic Merit Award Application Now Closed

Learn More

Employers

Employers

When It Comes to Your Patients, Not All Certifications Are Created Equal

As a healthcare leader, your hiring decisions reflect your commitment to quality care ‐ and your insurers are paying attention. When patient safety and surgical outcomes are on the line, there is only one credential surgeons trust and professional organizations endorse -- the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA®).

Need to verify a surgical technologist?

Verify Credentials

4.jpg

Endorsements are earned by rigorous standards

 
Only the CST® credential requires:
  • Graduation from an accredited two-year surgical technology program
  • 225+ hours of practice in skills labs
  • At least 120 in-person patient cases (300-400 hours of actual OR experience – no simulations)
  • Passing the rigorous NBSTSA® exam

CST® Professionals

Are Prepared to Deliver from Day One

Patient Safety

Prevent medication errors, surgical fires, retained instruments, and infection

Surgeon Satisfaction

Anticipate needs, streamline procedures, handle rapid bleeding and trauma

Team Excellence

Boost morale, improve retention, elevate outcomes

The only credential with comprehensive industry recognition

The CST® credential is endorsed by the organizations your surgical team members belong to:
  • American College of Surgeons
  • Council on Surgical & Perioperative Safety
  • Association of Surgical Technologists
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
  • American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
CST Logo.jpg

Beware of Imitation Credentials

Uncredentialed and ill-prepared surgical technologists create significant risk. These are individuals with limited education and preparation, who have never set foot in an OR or have even held instruments. Some credentials try to emulate the CST® designation, but only the NBSTSA CST® credential sets the standard.

The Bottom Line

Only surgical technologists certified by NBSTSA® have earned the right to use the CST® title. Individuals with other credentials cannot identify themselves as CSTs, nor can they be called CSTs. Specify "Certified Surgical Technologist®" in your job descriptions. Hire only CST® professionals certified by the NBSTSA®.
Verify Credentials