Comparing Surgical Tech Certifying Agencies: NBSTSA vs. NCCT vs. AAH - Which is Best for You?

When I think about all of the best surgical techs I've worked with in the past thirty-plus years, some were college trained, some were military trained, and some were hospital trained. Some were NBSTSA certified, some NCCT, some had no certification. It's more about the character and work ethic of the individual than how they were trained. If I was the hiring manager, a candidate's certification status wouldn't matter to me if they checked all the other boxes. However, so many beleive that being a CST is the only way to go, I recommend getting it if you can.

Just learned about these in class! But you simplified it way better!

Thank you for this video!!! All my questions have been answered

Thank you for this informative video!

AST also offers credit packages at discounted prices. I’m currently working on a credit package with all the credits needed for my next certification period for $50. It even includes the live credits required.

Thank you.

Have you heard of HCPT? I need more information on that if you know? Thanks!

I've always known about NBSTA and NCCT but have never heard of AAH. It's a great video very informative !

You do not have to earn off of your CEs through AST, you just have to submit them to AST. You can earn free ones through your hospital/employer. AST offers 3 free ones each year too.

Where could one with a newly earned CST certificate do training/clinicals?

So, graduates of the school being advertised here are only eligible for the unknown, unrecognized, unaccredited credential. The only certification recognized by the American College of Surgeons, the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety, or the Association of Surgical Technologists is the CST by the NBSTSA. All state laws that address surgical technologists recognize the CST. The NBSTSA is a non-profit with CSTs and other surgical professionals on the Board of Directors. More than 77,000 CSTs are certified through the NBSTSA. A person with CST certification may work in any state in the nation (a few states also require registration, but all CSTs may register). Because the CST is the only credential recognized nationwide, many traveling companies require the CST from the NBSTSA. NCCT is a family-run company. NCCA mostly validates psychometrics. NCCT certifies a few thousand surgical technologists and is not recognized by any surgical professional associations. People with the TS-C credential are prohibited by law from working in some states. AAH is not recognized by any surgical technologist law by any state in the US.

There are usually a lot of nurses on staff at the average hospital. How many surgical technologists are typically on staff at a hospital ? Is it more than 10, or less than 10 ?

Good morning , if you have ncorst, what are the requirements to take nbsta

Thank you

What about NCST

I am a foreign medical Doctor from Venezuela, with a specialty in OBGYN and now I moved to EEUU, I would like to get my certification as a surgical Assistant, Is there any way to sit to take the exam from the American Board?

Chattanooga State College has an AAH Surg AAS degree and a technical course for certification through their vocational training side. It's competitive and they only accept 24 students a year.

The NCCT DOES allow you to test at home for an additional fee of $45. Great video though

Hello, just want to ask you an important question. Why is it very important for a Surgical technologist to familiarize all the necessary instruments, sutures, supplies, tools to be used for surgery? Maybe you can give me a broad answer. Thanks😊

NBSTSA you also can take it at home too