Certification

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about certification. For additional information about certification, visit the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)  website.

For more information, read AST's Staying Certified A-Z. If you'd like this brochure mailed to you, please call Member Services, 800-637-7433 (choose option 3).

Frequently Asked Questions about Certification and Renewal

Who is in charge of certification?
The certifying agency for surgical technologists and surgical assistants is the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA, formerly LCC-ST). It is solely responsible for all decisions regarding certification. NBSTSA is a separate agency and is not affiliated with the Association of Surgical Technologists.

How do I get a member discount on the certifying exam?
Current AST members are eligible for a $100-discount on the surgical technology certifying examination. The nonmember price is $290.

Additional savings are available for students by purchasing either the Gold or Silver Student Membership Package. Call Member Services, 800-637-7433, or email for more information.

What does it cost to take the certifying exam?
The AST member price is $190 (see above). The nonmember price is $290. The fee structure also appears on the NBSTSA website. Or call NBSTSA, 800-707-0057.

How can I schedule a time to take the exam?
Call NBSTSA at 800-707-0057.

Who is eligible to take the certifying exam?
Any student who has graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program. Click here for a list of CAAHEP-accredited schools on the ARC-STSA (formally ARC-ST) website.

If my certificate has the wrong name on it, what do I do?
Call NBSTSA at 800-707-0057.

My certification has lapsed.  Do I have to retake the exam?
Yes. Call NBSTSA at 800-707-0057 to schedule a time.

How many credits do I need to renew my certification?
All CSTs and CFAs who have renewed their credential or who have passed the certification examination for the first time since January 1, 2003 are certified for four years.

CST FOUR–YEAR CERTIFICATION CYCLE = 60 CE credits
CFA FOUR–YEAR CERTIFICATION CYCLE = 75 CE credits

How much does it cost to have AST maintain a record of the CE credits I've earned?
There is no charge for AST members. It is a benefit of membership.

How can I find out how many continuing education credits I have?
Every January, AST mails all certified members a credit summary that details the continuing education credits that have been earned in the previous year. AST members also can review their individual files by accessing the Update Your Record section of this site.

How do I record my continuing education credits to send to AST?
AST requires the use of AST CE Reporting Forms. Members can download CE Reporting Forms from this site, request them by calling Member Services (800-637-7433),

How much does it cost to submit all of my CE credits to AST?
Members can submit all of their credits whenever they wish to AST at no cost. Nonmembers are subject to a processing fee of $400 for CSTs and CFAs. It is recommended that CE credits be submitted two to three months prior to recertification.

How do I know that AST has accepted the CE credits I submitted?
After the credits are processed, AST mails a CE credit letter to you with the number of credits that were accepted. The letter is proof that AST processed your credits.

How long does it take AST to process CE credits?
CE credits are processed within 10 business days from the day they're received.

What happens to my CE credits that AST has recorded if I don't renew my membership?
If AST membership lapses for more than 90 days, the CE credits earned while you were a member are maintained and recorded by AST and can be applied toward renewal of the credential. However, CE credits earned as a nonmember are subject to the nonmember processing fee of $400 when submitted to AST.

I am a former member of AST. If I join AST after the 90-day grace period, will the CE credits I earned as a nonmember be accepted toward renewal of certification?
The CE credits are accepted. However, the CE credits earned while a nonmember are subject to the nonmember processing fee of $400 for CSTs and CFAs.

Do I need to record my Journal exams on CE Reporting Forms?
CE exams from The Surgical Technologist journal do not need to be recorded on a CE Reporting Form. Tear out or copy the exam from your Journal, and mail it to AST with the appropriate fee. Member Services will record the credits earned.

Are there other ways to obtain CE credits besides the CE exams in the Journal?

1. Members should check their state assemblies for meetings that feature opportunities to earn CE credits.
2. Credits are available online at the AST Online CE Resource Site.
3. Health care facilities often sponsor in-service events that may have continuing education credits available. It is always wise to check the list of AST Approved CE Providers to find out whether the facility's continuing education program is approved.
4. The AST Annual National Conference is a great opportunity to earn CE credits.
   

How are the CE articles and exams accessed in the AST Online CE Resource site?
Click on this link to access the AST Online CE Resource Site.

Within the table are "Go" buttons. Clicking on a "Go" button in the column titled "Article" will open that CE article or PowerPoint presentation. Clicking on the "Go" button in the column marked "Exam" will open that article's CE exam.

The exam can be purchased online. In order to receive CE credit for the exam, it must be purchased. If you prefer not to purchase the exam online, print out the certificate indicating that you passed the exam, and include a copy of the certificate with a CE Reporting Form when submitting the credits to AST for processing and recording.

Nonmembers must print out the certificate and include a copy of it with the exam fee and the CE Reporting Form when submitting credits to AST for processing.

How are the CE credits recorded after I complete the online exam?
If you are an AST member, the credits are automatically recorded in your CE record. Nonmembers must print out the certificate indicating they passed the exam and submit a copy of the certicate with the exam fee and the CE Reporting Form when submitting credits to AST for processing.

Can I earn CE credits as an instructor?
If the teaching takes place as part of your job duties, such as an instructor in a surgical technology program or a preceptor, CE credits cannot be earned and applied toward recertification.

Can CE credits be earned by attending hospital in-services?
Yes, CE credits can be earned by attending employer-sponsored in-services, such as learning about new surgical equipment or a new surgical procedure. Check the list of AST Approved CE Providers to find out whether the facility's continuing education program is approved.

Can CE credits be earned by completing ACLS?
Yes, CE credits can be earned by completing ACLS.

How do I convert applicable college courses to CE credits?

1. For freshman courses (100 level) and sophomore courses (200 level): 5 CE credits awarded for each semester hour. Example: 3-credit course x 5 = 15 CE credits.
2. For junior courses (300 level) and senior courses (400 level): 7 CE credits awarded for each semester hour. Example: 3-credit course x 7 = 21 CE credits.
3. For graduate courses (500 level or higher): 10 CE credits awarded for each semester hour. Example: 3-credit course x 10 = 30 CE credits.

The level refers to the course numbering.

If I give a CE talk/presentation at an AST-sponsored event, such as the national conference, how many CE credits can I earn?
One CE credit is earned for each 50-60 minutes of presentation. Two CE credits are earned for the initial preparation of the presentation. If the same presentation is given again, CE credits can be earned only for the length of the presentation, not for the preparation.

How are independent study programs approved?
The AST Continuing Education Provider Approval Policies outline AST's approval policies and procedures. Businesses must apply to AST to become an approved provider of home study courses. The approval is granted for three years. Click here for a list of AST Approved CE Providers.

What must be submitted when I have attended a program offered by a state assembly?
It is the responsibility of the state assembly to provide a certificate of attendance/participation to the CSTs and CFAs who atend the continuing education event. A copy of the certificate must be submitted with the CE Reporting Form when submitting CE credits to AST for processing and recording.