Policies

The National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) recognizes the importance of candidate/certificant confidentiality, as well as the importance of the security from public disclosure of data as it relates to the status of certification and/or recertification of surgical technologists and/or surgical first assistants. The NBSTSA requires that its procedures be sensitive to the need to maintain candidate information confidentiality in the certification process while also disclosing certain information to serve and protect the public interest. Examination candidates and certificants should be aware that the NBSTSA may release credentialed status to agencies such as those which regulate the practice of surgical technology, a certificant’s current/potential employer, surgical education programs attended by candidates/certificants, NBSTSA recognized programmatic accreditation agencies and NBSTSA contracted vendors involved in the process of certification. NBSTSA CST/CSFA certificants may also have their names and credentials listed in various NBSTSA publications from time to time such as when the NBSTSA is congratulating new certificants, etc. 

The NBSTSA has an online credential verification system at nbstsa.org, through which any person in possession of a certificate number or social security number and name can gain access to certification status. While the NBSTSA does not provide social security numbers or other personally identifiable information to third parties, third parties such as employers and potential employers who already have this information may utilize the information to verify an individual’s credential status. The information available through the verification system is limited to provide a certificant’s certification number and cycle start and expiration dates only. 

Exceptions to the NBSTSA Candidate Confidentiality & Disclosure Policy may be made and the aforementioned requirements may be waived for any information or documentation the NBSTSA is required to disclose relative to a bona fide judicial or governmental process. 

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.  

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.

Late renewal does not give you extra time to earn continuing education credits - they had to be earned before your certification expired. 

If you are between 1 and 90 days beyond the expiration of your certification, you can renew if you have earned all required continuing education credits during your certification cycle.  All the credits must have been earned while you were certified and can’t be earned after.  If you did not earn the required credits, please apply to take the examination for recertification. There is a $100 late fee for individuals who file their renewal application between 1 and 90 days after the expiration date, in addition to the $40 for CST and $45 for CSFA renewal fee, for a total of $140 for CST and $145 for CSFA due if renewing certification after expiration. 

IMPORTANT: Individuals whose certification has lapsed and who renew within the 90 day late policy will keep their certification number and will be issued a new certification certification expiration date, as though they had renewed on-time. All required continuing education credits must have been completed while the individual was certified (within their certification cycle, before the expiration of their certification), and the renewal application with fee and penalty fee must be received within 90-days of the original expiration for this rule to apply.  

Individuals have the right to appeal decisions made by the NBSTSA regarding their certification and/or eligibility for certification and/or recertification. Candidates who believe that they have met the eligibility requirements as stated in policy may appeal decisions of ineligibility. However, the eligibility requirements themselves may not be appealed. Pass/fail examination scores are not appealable to the Board of Directors and are 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 non-refundable processing fee. Appeals letters requesting reconsideration of applications must indicate the specific findings of ineligibility and provide verifiable evidence that the candidate meets those findings. Appeals due to personal hardship must provide documentary evidence. Appeal letters must be received by NBSTSA within 90 days of notification of ineligibility.
 
2.  Appeals are heard by the NBSTSA Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled spring & fall meetings.
 
3.  Candidates will be notified by the NBSTSA 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.

Explanation: Individuals who believe they have met the accredited program graduation requirements to be eligible to sit for the CST or CSFA examination but who have been denied approval to test may appeal to the Board. However, the eligibility rules themselves are not appealable.  Example: NBSTSA will not accept an appeal from an individual who presents life history serving in the ST or SFA role, but who does not meet the graduation requirements for the CST or CSFA examination. 

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 complainant(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.

Note: to submit a complaint against NBSTSA certified professionals, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

Candidates may establish eligibility to take the CSFA examination under the following.

1. Candidate is a current or previously certified CSFA renewing by examination (must provide evidence of NBSTSA certification).
2. 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 anytime it held the appropriate accreditation.
3. 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.

Individuals that successfully renew have the option to print a CSFA certificate in addition to their CST/CSFA certificate.

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 previously certified as a CST, and is renewing by examination. (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 anytime it held the appropriate accreditation.
    
4. Candidate is a graduate from a surgical technology 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.
    
5. Candidate who has successfully completed a military training program in surgical technology. Required documentation to establish eligibility includes a DD214 demonstrating graduation from a military training program and/ or a graduation certificate.

The CST examination authorization to test time limit is six months. Candidates may not test more than three times during any calendar year. Candidates are required to pay the total testing fee (processing and examination) each time to test.

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.

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.

NBSTSA has a disciplinary policy (5.1) in place for use in cases where certified or non-certified individuals have obtained or attempted to obtain certification by fraud or deception, have used falsified credentials, or have committed offenses directly related to the practice of surgical technology or surgical first assisting which give cause to question the individual's ability to practice in a safe and competent manner.

Details, along with procedures and processes are contained in the Disciplinary Policy, downloadable on this page.

Non-Discrimination

NBSTSA accepts all properly completed examination applications from eligible applicants regardless of the applicant’s age, sex, race, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. NBSTSA strives for fairness, providing each test candidate with an examination of the same difficulty level, using the same methodology, utilizing accomodations when appropriate, and providing each candidate with all necessary information with regard to eligibility, application, and the testing process.  

Fairness

It is our goal to provide all the essential information for applicants before the test, to provide a test environment and procedures conducive to good performance during the test, and providing timely and accurate scoring and reporting after the test. Key to the fairness of our examination process is the utilization of sound, accepted psychometric practices to ensure that each candidate has a fair opportunity for success on our examination.