The Certified Surgical Technologist CST examination is certified and administered by the NBSTSA. It evaluates qualified surgical technologists across three core domains: Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, and Basic Science. Candidates must complete a 240-minute test consisting of 175 questions to successfully earn the professional credential and demonstrate competency in the field.
Surgical technology students and practitioners seeking the Certified Surgical Technologist credential. Candidates must understand surgical asepsis, sterile technique, and perioperative case management as established by NBSTSA standards for professional practice in the operating room.
Review all curriculum objectives and official training materials provided directly by the NBSTSA. Focus your study sessions on perioperative care protocols, ancillary duties, and basic science principles to meet the passing score requirement of 98 during the assessment. Utilize official guides to ensure thorough coverage of all required testing topics.
This domain covers perioperative care duties, clinical responsibilities, and patient management practices performed by surgical technologists during various invasive surgical procedures within the operating room environment to ensure high standards.
This domain focuses on ancillary duties required in the modern surgical environment, equipment handling, instrument management, and adherence to established healthcare facility safety protocols to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.
This domain examines basic science principles that are directly relevant to surgical technology, human anatomy, medical terminology, microbiology, and sterile processing standards required for safe patient care in clinical settings.
Arrive at the testing center prepared for a demanding 240-minute testing session. Manage your time effectively across the 175 questions to achieve the required passing score of 98 and earn your professional certification.
The certification examination contains exactly 175 questions in total. Candidates are given a generous time limit of 240 minutes to complete the entire assessment under standard testing conditions at an authorized center.
The official passing score required to successfully pass the Certified Surgical Technologist examination and earn the credential is established at 98 by the governing board responsible for the certification program.
The official exam duration is precisely 240 minutes for all 175 questions administered during your scheduled testing session at the designated authorized testing center location for all registered certification candidates.
The professional credential is officially conferred and regulated by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, which is widely known as the NBSTSA for all surgical technology professionals.
Verified 2026-09-13
This page was built using verified facts and official documentation sourced directly from official NBSTSA exam documentation and candidate guides to ensure accuracy for all prospective certification candidates.