Whether you are a Certified Surgical Technologist or just staying knowledgeable in your field, you are a true professional. Continuing education takes time and commitment, which is why AST provides high-quality, up-to-date educational opportunities for its members—including our national conference, monthly CE articles on current topics featured in The Surgical Technologist and deeply discounted CE Credit Packages for as little as $1.67 per credit. If you’re not already taking advantage of these benefits, join today.

Continuing Education Resource Center

Your Complete Source for Online Education

When completing a test or package, please read through the following to register your CE Credit(s) online: 

• You may read an article or take a test as many times as you wish prior to passing.
  • Once the test(s) are passed and added to the CART, payment must be applied prior to receiving your earned credits. (These will automatically be applied to your AST account.)
  • Purchase the CE Credit(s) with a credit card and it will instantly record to your CE Credit History. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
• You can also view your CE Credit History online.
• Each CE Credit Package and/or journal tests may only be submitted once in a 8-year period.
• If needed, print out the Certificate of Completion in the Certificates tab by clicking on the certificate number. 

To submit journal test or package answer sheets to AST by mail or email:

• Mail: AST, 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste 200, Littleton, CO 80120-8031
• Email: [email protected], scan and save your documents as a pdf file and email to membership services.

*Once you have completed all required Continuing Education Credits, your certification is not renewed. Please contact your certification company for the second step of the renewal process. 

For questions regarding Continuing Education Credits or to report any difficulties, please use our Live Chat located at the bottom right of the screen or contact us via phone at 800-637-7433.

Live CE 

In 2019, the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) announced that the certification cycle for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)® and the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)® was changed from four to two years, effective January 1, 2020.

For those in the new two-year cycle, CSTs are required to earn a total of 30 CE credits including 4 CE credits earned in Live CE settings and CSFAs are required to earn 38 CE credits including 8 earned in Live CE settings. For details, visit: https://www.nbstsa.org/renewals-recertification

Live CE is — "All CE sessions presented at AST-approved conferences, workshops, AST State Assembly meetings, AST medical missions, employer in-services, grand rounds, physician professional meetings including live or on-demand CE webinars or videos and live CE by manufacturers.”

Examples of live CE that will be accepted and processed for recertification include:

• Live CE processed for recertification earned at those conferences, workshops, state assembly meetings, medical missions, employer in-services, grand rounds, and physician professions must be approved by AST or otherwise comply with the AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA.
• AST will approve Live CE for manufacturers but not on-demand CE webinars or videos.
• For documentation requirements when submitting Live CE credits, visit: https://www.ast.org/Members/AST_CE_Policies/.

How and where can I earn Live CE?

AST State Assembly Meetings

• Upcoming Programs: https://www.ast.org/State_Assemblies/Upcoming_Programs/
• Connect With Your State Assembly: https://www.ast.org/State_Assemblies/State_Websites/

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