Certification Eligibility

The Surgical Technology program is based on the accreditation standards and guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Surgical Technologist developed by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP, the American College of Surgeons, and the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) cooperate to establish, maintain and promote appropriate standards of quality for educational programs in surgical technology and to provide recognition for educational programs that meet or exceed the minimum standards outlined in accreditation standards. CAAHEP accredits programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). These accreditation standards are the minimum standards of quality used in accrediting programs that prepare individuals to enter the Surgical Technology profession. The accreditation standards therefore constitute the minimum requirements to which an accredited program is held accountable.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) reviews and grants accreditation to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for its administration of the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certifications. The purpose of NBSTSA is to determine, through examination, if an individual has acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge of surgical technology. Certification as a Surgical Technologist demonstrates that the individual meets the national standard for knowledge that underlies surgical technologist and surgical first assistant practice. Certified individuals possess mastery of a broad range of skills related to surgical procedures, aseptic technique, and patient care.

All graduates from Cabarrus College are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Examination after the successful completion of the program requirements.

Approved candidates who take and pass the CST examination are authorized to use the initials CST as long as they maintain certification currency.