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Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Examination
The CST examination is the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting's national certification examination for entry-level surgical technologists, delivered by computer at PSI test centers.
Official exam siteJump to prep options ↓
Questions175 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored plus 25 unscored pretest items randomly distributed throughout
Testing time4 hours
Scoring98 of the 150 scored questions correct to pass
Exam feeUSD 340 standard / USD 230 AST member (includes a USD 60 non-refundable application processing fee)
Prep options
Study resources for CST
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- NBSTSA
- Category
- Sterile Processing & Surgical Technology
- Current version
- 2025 CST examination content outline (2025 CST Candidate Handbook, 1st Edition)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Testing provider
- PSI
- Format
- Computer-based at PSI test centers nationwide; also administered as a web-based test at campus testing centers for students in accredited programs and at military base education centers for overseas military applicants
- Availability
- Year-round by appointment, Monday–Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at PSI test centers; exam must be taken within a six-month Authorization to Test window
- Results
- Post-graduate candidates testing at a PSI center may receive a score report on test day; on-campus (WBT) candidates receive scores after completing graduation requirements and school release of scores
Exam structure
150 scored multiple-choice items across three domains: Perioperative Care, 97 items (Preoperative Preparation 19, Intraoperative Procedures 68, Postoperative Procedures 10); Ancillary Duties, 23 items (Administrative and Personnel 7, Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance 16); and Basic Science, 30 items (Anatomy and Physiology 18, Microbiology 6, Surgical Pharmacology 6); plus 25 unscored pretest items.
Where rules vary
A single uniform national examination; the credential is recognized nationwide and required or preferred by many U.S. states and employers, but the exam content does not vary by state.
Eligibility
Eligibility required before applying: current or previous CST certification, OR graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program, OR graduation from a military surgical technology training program (documentation required)
Retake policy
Up to three attempts per calendar year; no waiting period to reapply; full testing fee (processing and examination) due each attempt