How much does the NBSTSA CST exam cost in 2026?

The NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam costs $190 for AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) members or $290 for non-members in 2026. AST membership is $60/year for active members (cheaper for students). The CST exam is administered at Pearson VUE test centers and is required for most surgical technologist positions in US hospitals (Stepful, March 2026).

How much does CST certification renewal cost?

CST certification renewal is every 2 years at $40 for on-time renewals. Late renewal (within 90 days after expiration) costs $100 in late fees plus the $40 renewal fee for a total of $140. Reinstatement after 90 days requires re-application. CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) renewal is $45 every 2 years with the same late fee structure (NBSTSA, September 2026).

How much does surgical technologist training cost in 2026?

Surgical technologist training programs in 2026 range $5,000-$26,000 for certificate programs and $20,000-$40,000 for associate degrees. Examples: TCAT Knoxville Park West Hospital $6,221 total (tuition $4,936 + books/supplies $1,285). TCAT Knoxville standalone campus $6,053 (tuition $4,768 + books/supplies $1,285). Gwinnett Tech GA $7,000+ including CST exam $230. HACC PA $16,590-$26,057 (associate degree). West Shore CC MI $26,559-$36,919 (associate degree) (TCAT Knoxville, Gwinnett Tech, HACC, West Shore, 2026).

What are the eligibility requirements for the CST exam?

CST exam eligibility in 2026 requires graduation from a CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) accredited surgical technology program. Military-trained surgical technologists with a DD214 demonstrating graduation from a military training program are also eligible. Candidates must submit a notarized letter from the program director, graduation certificate, or official transcripts. Exam authorization is valid for 6 months from approval (NBSTSA, September 2026).

How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?

Surgical technologist programs in 2026 range 12-24 months: certificate programs 12-15 months (TCAT Knoxville 12-month program), associate degrees 18-24 months (HACC 18 months, West Shore 24 months). Programs include classroom instruction (surgical anatomy, procedures, sterile technique), lab practice (instruments, draping, scrubbing), and clinical externship (typically 500-1,000 hours in hospital operating rooms). Total time from start to certified: 12-18 months for most students (TCAT Knoxville, 2026).

What salary do surgical technologists earn in 2026?

Surgical technologists earn a median annual salary of $60,610 per BLS May 2024 OES. State ranges from $45,000 (entry-level, lower-cost states) to $80,000 (experienced, high-cost states or specialty). Top-paying states: California $76,580, Alaska $74,990, Washington $72,610, Connecticut $71,890, Nevada $70,610. Specialty surgical techs (cardiac, neuro, ortho, transplant) earn 10-20% more. Travel surgical techs earn $45-$60/hour vs $28-$35 for staff. Job growth: 5% through 2032 (BLS OES, May 2024).

How much is AST membership for surgical technologists?

AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) membership in 2026: Active member $60/year (reduces CST exam fee to $190 vs $290 non-member). Student member $45/year. Lifetime member one-time $750 (or $80/year for 10 years). Membership includes the annual Surgical Technologist journal, CEU opportunities, professional liability insurance options, and the AST advocacy network. The $100 saved on the CST exam alone justifies active membership for first-time test takers (NBSTSA, September 2026).

What is the total cost to become a CST certified surgical technologist?

Total cost to become a CST certified surgical technologist in 2026 ranges $6,000-$30,000 depending on program choice. Budget: surgical tech program $5,000-$26,000 (TCAT Knoxville $5,053-$5,536 with TN Promise eligibility; Gwinnett Tech $7,000+; HACC $16,590-$26,057; West Shore $26,559+) + AST membership $45-$60 + CST exam $190-$290 + textbooks $300-$1,200 + supplies (scrubs, lab kit, surgical instruments) $300-$1,000 + background check $50 + drug screen $50-$75 + state certification $50-$150. Hospital-based programs sometimes include most supplies (TCAT Knoxville, 2026).

Surgical Tech Certification Cost 2026 CST Exam Fees

Surgical technologist certification cost in 2026: NBSTSA CST exam is $190 for AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) members or $290 for non-members. Renewal every 2 years is $40; late renewal adds a $100 fee (total $140). Renewal of CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) is $45 every 2 years.

Training programs range $5,000-$26,000 for certificate programs and $20,000-$40,000 for associate degrees: TCAT Knoxville $6,221, Gwinnett Tech $7,000+, HACC PA $16,590-$26,057, West Shore CC $26,559-$36,919. Total all-in including exam, textbooks, scrubs, supplies, background check, drug screen: $6,000-$30,000. Median surgical tech salary is $60,610 per BLS May 2024 OES.

Last verified: September 17, 2026. NBSTSA fees are stable through 2025-2026; CAAHEP/ABHES accreditation requirements remain strict for exam eligibility (NBSTSA, September 2026).

CST exam: $190 AST members / $290 non-members.

CST renewal: $40 every 2 years; late $100 (total $140).

AST membership: $60/year active; $45/year student.

Programs: $5,000-$26,000 certificate; $20,000-$40,000 associate.

CAAHEP/ABHES accreditation required for exam eligibility.

Median salary: $60,610 (BLS May 2024 OES).

Plan-by-plan breakdown

Surgical technologist certification in 2026 requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program and passing the NBSTSA CST exam. The credential is required for most surgical technologist positions in US hospitals, particularly for specialty surgical teams (cardiac, neuro, ortho, transplant).

CST exam structure: 175 multiple-choice questions over 4 hours, covering perioperative care, surgical procedures, sterile technique, instruments and equipment, and surgical anatomy. Exam fee is $190 with AST membership (annual $60) or $290 without. Administered at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide.

CST renewal is every 2 years at $40. Renewal requires 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every 2 years. CEUs can be earned through AST-approved courses, conferences, journal quizzes, and employer-provided in-service training. Late renewal (within 90 days) adds a $100 fee; reinstatement after 90 days requires re-application (NBSTSA, September 2026).

Program	Tuition	Supplies	Total	Length	Format
TCAT Knoxville Park West	$4,936	$1,285	$6,221	12 months	Hospital-based
TCAT Knoxville Main	$4,768	$1,285	$6,053	12 months	Campus-based
Gwinnett Tech GA	~$6,500	$500	$7,000+	5 semesters	Associate
HACC PA	$16,590	$998	$18,689	18 months	Associate
HACC PA (sponsoring)	$26,057	$998	$26,056	18 months	Associate non-sponsoring
Wallace State CC AL	$9,301	$7,011	$16,312	5 semesters	Associate
West Shore CC MI	$26,559	-	$26,559	24 months	Associate

AST membership value

AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) membership is the primary professional body for surgical technologists. Active membership at $60/year unlocks: the $190 CST exam fee (vs $290 non-member, $100 saved); access to the annual Surgical Technologist journal; CEU opportunities (often free for members); professional liability insurance options; advocacy network for state and federal legislation affecting surgical techs.

Student AST membership at $45/year is available to currently enrolled CAAHEP/ABHES students. Student members get the same exam fee discount ($190 vs $290) plus access to the journal and CEU library. Student membership pays for itself on the first exam attempt.

Lifetime membership at $750 one-time (or $80/year for 10 years) is available to certified surgical technologists with at least 10 years of continuous AST membership. Lifetime members get all standard benefits plus recognition at AST events (NBSTSA, September 2026).

Specialty certifications and career paths

Beyond CST, NBSTSA offers CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) for surgical techs who assist surgeons directly during procedures. CSFA exam is $250 with AST membership, $350 without. CSFA renewal is $45 every 2 years. CSFA is the highest-paying surgical tech credential at $75K-$95K median salary, typically 10-15% above CST.

Other surgical tech credentials offered by CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International): RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, cardiac cath lab), RCS (Registered Cardiac Sonographer, echocardiography), RCES (Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist, EP lab). These specialty credentials are advanced and typically require CST plus 1-2 years specialized experience plus additional training.

Specialty surgical tech salaries: cardiac CST $65K-$80K, neuro CST $70K-$85K, ortho CST $65K-$80K, transplant CST $70K-$90K, CSFA $75K-$95K, RCIS $55K-$75K (cardiac cath lab), RCS $55K-$75K (echo), RCES $60K-$80K (EP lab) (BLS OES, May 2024).

Renewal and continuing education

CST renewal is every 2 years at $40 + 30 CEUs. CSFA renewal is every 2 years at $45 + 30 CEUs. CEU sources: AST-approved online courses ($20-$100 each, 1-10 CEUs), AST annual conference ($200-$500, 10-30 CEUs), employer-provided in-service training (free), journal quizzes ($10-$25 each, 1-2 CEUs).

For employed surgical techs in hospital systems, employer-sponsored CEU programs often reduce out-of-pocket renewal cost to $0-$50. Most major hospital systems (HCA, Tenet, Adventist Health) provide free annual CEU conferences and in-service training that satisfy the 30-CEU requirement.

For self-employed or per-diem surgical techs, CEU costs are typically $200-$400 per 2-year cycle ($150-$300 for online courses + the $40 renewal fee). Total renewal cost: $240-$440 every 2 years for self-employed surgical techs (NBSTSA, September 2026).

Salary and career outlook

Surgical technologists earn a median annual salary of $60,610 per BLS May 2024 OES. State ranges from $45,000 (Mississippi, West Virginia) to $80,000 (California, Alaska, Washington, Connecticut). Top 10% of surgical techs earn more than $83,000.

Specialty surgical techs (cardiac, neuro, ortho, transplant) earn 10-20% more than general surgical techs. Teaching surgical techs and clinical instructors earn $70K-$95K. Surgical tech supervisors and OR directors earn $80K-$120K.

BLS projects 5% job growth for surgical technologists through 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand drivers: aging population requiring more surgical procedures; advances in minimally invasive surgery increasing OR volume; physician shortage driving scope of practice expansion for surgical techs (BLS OES, May 2024).

How surgical tech compares to other operating room careers

Surgical tech is faster and cheaper than RN (2-4 years nursing school $10K-$100K+) but offers less autonomy and lower pay ceiling. Comparison: Surgical Tech 12-18 months certificate $5K-$26K vs RN 2-4 years $10K-$100K+. Surgical Tech is the right starting credential for OR careers for students who want to enter the field quickly with a strong foundation for further specialization (CSFA, RCIS, RCS).

Surgical Tech is similar in scope to other allied health OR roles (anesthesia tech, sterile processing tech) but with higher pay and more direct patient care responsibility. Many surgical techs start in sterile processing or other entry-level OR roles and transition to CST within 1-2 years (TCAT Knoxville, 2026).

CST certification is increasingly required for travel surgical tech contracts; expect 80%+ of travel OR contracts to require CST by 2027.
CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) is the fastest-growing surgical tech credential with 15%+ year-over-year growth in certified population.
Robotic surgery (da Vinci, Mako) is creating new specialization opportunities; expect NBSTSA to add a robotic surgery credential by 2027.