How to Become a Surgical Tech
Surgical technology can be a practical route into hands-on healthcare, but the path is not just "take a class and wear scrubs." Training quality, clinical placement, certification eligibility, and state or employer requirements all matter.
Quick Answer: How Do You Become a Surgical Tech?
To become a surgical tech, you typically need to finish high school or earn a GED, complete a surgical technology program, gain supervised clinical experience, and prepare for a certification exam. Many surgical techs complete a certificate, diploma, or associate degree program that includes classroom instruction, lab practice, and hands-on clinical training in real operating-room environments.
- Finish high school or earn a GED.
- Choose a surgical technology program that supports certification eligibility.
- Complete classroom, lab, and hands-on training.
- Finish required clinical rotations or externship experience.
- Prepare for certification, such as CST or TS-C, if required or preferred.
- Check state and employer requirements before applying for jobs.
If you are ready to compare training options, explore surgical technologist training programs.
Table of Contents
- What surgical techs do
- Surgical tech vs. surgical technologist vs. surgical technician
- Step 1: Make sure the career fits you
- Step 2: Meet basic education and admission requirements
- Step 3: Complete a surgical technology program
- Step 4: Complete clinical experience
- Step 5: Understand certification options
- Step 6: Check state and employer requirements
- Step 7: Apply for surgical tech jobs
- How long does it take?
- Salary and job outlook
- Surgical tech vs. sterile processing technician
- Is becoming a surgical tech worth it?
- Questions to ask surgical tech schools
- FAQs
- Sources
What Does a Surgical Tech Do?
Surgical techs help keep operating rooms organized, sterile, and ready for surgery. Before a procedure, they may prepare instruments, set up sterile supplies, check equipment, help prepare the patient, and assist the surgical team with gowns and gloves.
During surgery, surgical techs work in the sterile field. They pass instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgical assistants, anticipate what the team may need next, maintain sterile technique, handle specimens, and help count sponges, sharps, and instruments so nothing is left behind. After surgery, they may help apply dressings, transfer patients, restock supplies, and prepare the room for the next case.
The BLS lists core duties such as preparing operating rooms, sterilizing equipment, passing instruments, counting supplies, and maintaining a sterile environment to help prevent infection.
Surgical Tech vs. Surgical Technologist vs. Surgical Technician
These terms are often used interchangeably:
Surgical technologist
The more formal academic and occupational title.
Surgical tech
The common shortened version and the term many people use when searching.
Surgical technician
A common alternate term, especially in job-search language.
Scrub tech
Common workplace slang for the scrubbed-in role.
This article uses surgical tech because that is how many people search. When you compare schools, certifications, and job postings, expect to see surgical technologist used often.
Step 1: Make Sure the Career Fits You
Surgical technology can be a strong fit if you want hands-on healthcare work, like precise routines, and can stay calm when the room gets tense. It is often appealing to people who want a shorter training path than nursing but still want to be close to patient care and surgical procedures.
You may like this career if you:
- Can handle blood, tissue, body fluids, and surgical smells
- Pay close attention to details
- Like structured procedures and strict rules
- Can stand for long periods
- Work well under pressure
- Can take direct feedback without melting into soup
You should think twice if you:
- Want a low-stress desk job
- Need a fully online training path
- Dislike strict workplace hierarchy
- Struggle with high-pressure situations
- Want minimal physical demands
- Need predictable nine-to-five hours
The BLS notes that surgical assistants and technologists spend much of their time on their feet, may lift heavy trays or help move patients, may be exposed to unpleasant sights and materials, and may work nights, weekends, holidays, call shifts, or shifts longer than eight hours.
Step 2: Meet Basic Education and Admission Requirements
Most surgical technology programs require a high school diploma or GED. Helpful preparation can include biology, anatomy, chemistry, algebra, communication, and computer basics.
Before clinical rotations, schools and clinical sites may also require:
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
- Immunization records
- TB testing
- CPR or Basic Life Support certification
- Health insurance or liability documentation
- Physical ability to stand, lift, and work in a clinical environment
Requirements vary by school and clinical site. Verify them before enrolling, because being accepted into a program does not automatically mean every clinical site will accept you.
Step 3: Complete a Surgical Technology Program
Surgical tech training is offered through community colleges, vocational schools, career colleges, universities, and sometimes hospital-based programs. The BLS says surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or associate degree, and that surgical technology programs include classroom study plus hands-on experience in supervised clinical settings.
| Training option | Typical fit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Students who want a shorter, career-focused path | Verify certification eligibility and clinical placement support |
| Diploma | Students who want focused technical training | Confirm employer recognition and program accreditation |
| Associate degree | Students who want a broader credential and general education courses | Usually takes longer and may cost more |
| Hybrid program | Students who need some schedule flexibility | Lab and clinical work still need to happen in person |
Typical coursework may include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical terminology, surgical procedures, pharmacology, patient care, sterile technique, infection control, instrumentation, and operating-room safety.
Accreditation matters
Before choosing a surgical technology program, verify whether it supports the certification pathway you want. For the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist exam, candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program, and NBSTSA says it is the sole authority on eligibility.
Compare surgical technologist training programs and ask each school how its program supports certification eligibility.
Be careful with fully online programs
Online classes may work for some academic pieces, such as terminology or anatomy, but surgical technology is not a screen-only skill. You need hands-on practice with sterile technique, instruments, setup, and real clinical workflows.
Be especially cautious with any program that expects you to arrange your own clinical site. Hospitals and surgery centers may not accept students unless the school already has a formal clinical agreement. Before enrolling, ask exactly how clinical placement works, whether the school places students, and what happens if no site is available near you.
Step 4: Complete Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is where surgical tech training gets real. Instead of only practicing in a lab, students enter supervised surgical settings and begin learning how operating rooms actually function.
During clinical rotations or externships, students may observe procedures, assist with room setup, help maintain sterile technique, learn instrument flow, practice counts, and work under supervision in different specialties. The goal is to build competence, speed, judgment, and professional behavior in real clinical environments.
Ask schools:
- Are clinical rotations included?
- Does the school arrange placements?
- Which hospitals or surgical centers are used?
- How many cases or hours are required?
- Are students exposed to multiple surgical specialties?
- What happens if a clinical site cancels or delays placement?
Clinical placement is not a cute bonus. It is the bridge between "I watched videos" and "I can function in an OR without endangering everyone." Tiny distinction, big consequences.
Step 5: Understand Certification Options
Certification can affect employer preference, state compliance, and your competitiveness for entry-level jobs. Two major certification options are CST and TS-C.
Certified Surgical Technologist, CST
The Certified Surgical Technologist, or CST, credential is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA.
NBSTSA says candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program before applying for the CST exam.
Tech in Surgery - Certified, TS-C
The Tech in Surgery - Certified, or TS-C, credential is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing, or NCCT.
NCCT lists multiple eligibility pathways, including current student, graduate, experience, high school, military, and instructor pathways.
| Question | CST | TS-C |
|---|---|---|
| Certifying body | NBSTSA | NCCT |
| Common route | CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program | Multiple routes, including authorized programs, experience, high school, military, and instructor pathways |
| Best for | Students choosing an accredited surgical technology program and targeting employers that prefer CST | Candidates with qualifying nontraditional, military, apprenticeship, or experience-based routes |
| What to verify | Program accreditation and NBSTSA eligibility | NCCT route requirements and local employer acceptance |
The safe move: Before enrolling, search job postings in your target area and ask local employers which credential they prefer or require.
Step 6: Check State and Employer Requirements
There is no single federal surgical tech license that applies everywhere in the U.S. Some states have laws related to surgical technologist education, certification, or registration, and many employers set their own credential requirements.
The Association of Surgical Technologists lists states with laws related to surgical technologist education, certification, and/or registration. Its list includes states such as Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, North Dakota, and Washington.
Some states use registration systems. For example, Washington’s Department of Health has a surgical technologist credential section, and Colorado has a Surgical Assistant and Technologist registration office.
State requirements can change, and job requirements can be stricter than state law. Always verify with your state health department or licensing agency, your target employer, the certifying organization, and the school’s program director.
This article is career guidance, not legal advice. Annoying sentence, useful protection.
Step 7: Apply for Surgical Tech Jobs
Once you finish training and meet your certification or state requirements, you can begin applying for entry-level surgical tech roles.
Common employers include:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient surgery centers
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Specialty surgical clinics
- Labor and delivery departments
- Dental or oral surgery practices, depending on the role
For your resume, highlight your program, credential earned, accreditation status when relevant, certification earned or exam eligibility, clinical rotation sites, surgical specialties observed or practiced, sterile technique, instrument setup and counts, and CPR/BLS certification if applicable.
Clinical rotations can also become your first job pipeline. Treat clinicals like an extended interview: show up early, stay useful, ask smart questions, own mistakes quickly, and never pretend you know something you do not.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Surgical Tech?
Many surgical tech programs take about one to two years, depending on the credential. Certificate and diploma programs are often shorter, while associate degree programs commonly take longer because they include general education courses.
| Stage | Approximate timing |
|---|---|
| Meet admission requirements | A few weeks to several months |
| Complete certificate or diploma training | About 12 to 18 months |
| Complete associate degree training | About 18 to 24 months |
| Complete clinical rotations | Usually built into the program |
| Prepare for certification | During the final term or shortly after graduation |
| Apply for jobs | Near graduation or after certification, depending on employer requirements |
Do Surgical Techs Need to Be Certified?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and often "not legally required but strongly preferred." Welcome to healthcare credentialing, where the answer is somehow both boring and a tiny trap.
Certification requirements depend on state law, employer policy, program accreditation, job setting, local labor market, and whether you are a new graduate or experienced worker.
Some states regulate surgical technologists. Some employers require certification even if the state does not. Others may hire noncertified surgical techs but expect certification within a set time after hire.
The best answer: Plan as if certification matters. Even where it is not legally required, it can make you more competitive and may open more job options.
Surgical Tech Salary and Job Outlook
According to the latest BLS OEWS May 2025 national wage data, surgical technologists had a median annual wage of $64,650, or $31.08 per hour. The 10th percentile was $45,940, and the 90th percentile was $96,940. Pay varies by state, metro area, employer type, experience, shift schedule, and certification.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that surgical technologists had a median annual wage of $62,830 in May 2024 and projects overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,700 openings projected each year for surgical assistants and technologists.
Hospitals employ most surgical technologists. The BLS says surgical technologists held about 115,600 jobs in 2024, with 71 percent in hospitals and 11 percent in outpatient care centers.
Do not treat national pay numbers like a personal guarantee. A new graduate in a lower-paying region may earn much less than an experienced surgical tech in a high-cost metro area, specialty service line, or travel role.
Surgical Tech vs. Sterile Processing Technician
Surgical techs and sterile processing technicians both deal with surgical instruments and infection control, but the jobs are not the same.
| Role | Main focus | Work setting | OR involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical tech | Operating-room setup, sterile field, assisting during surgery | OR, hospital, surgery center | Direct |
| Sterile processing technician | Cleaning, inspecting, assembling, sterilizing, and tracking instruments | Sterile processing department | Usually indirect |
Choose surgical technology if you want to be in the operating room and can handle procedure pressure. Choose sterile processing if you prefer behind-the-scenes instrument work and less direct exposure to surgery.
If sterile processing sounds like the better fit, compare sterile processing technician training before committing to a surgical tech program.
Is Becoming a Surgical Tech Worth It?
Becoming a surgical tech can be worth it if you want a hands-on healthcare career, can handle OR pressure, and want a faster route than many licensed clinical careers. It may be especially appealing if you like technical precision, anatomy, teamwork, and structured procedures.
It may not be worth it if your main goal is the highest possible healthcare pay. Registered nurses, surgical assistants, physician assistants, and other advanced healthcare roles generally require more education but can offer broader scope and higher earning potential.
Surgical technology can also be a stepping stone. Some surgical techs later move into surgical assisting, nursing, medical device sales, healthcare education, specialty service-line leadership, or other clinical roles. The BLS notes that surgical assistants and technologists may advance to other healthcare occupations, but advancement usually requires additional education, training, certification, or licensure.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Surgical Tech School
Before enrolling, ask admissions or the program director:
- Is the surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES?
- Does the program make graduates eligible for the CST exam?
- Does the school arrange clinical placements?
- Which hospitals or surgical centers host students?
- How many clinical hours or cases are required?
- Are students placed in multiple surgical specialties?
- What is the program’s certification exam pass rate?
- What is the job placement rate for recent graduates?
- What costs are not included in tuition?
- Are exam fees, scrubs, supplies, immunizations, CPR/BLS, or background checks included?
- What happens if a student cannot secure or complete clinical placement?
- Which credential do local employers prefer: CST, TS-C, or another credential?
Ready to compare programs?
Once you know what to ask, you can compare surgical technologist training programs with a lot less guesswork.
FAQs About Becoming a Surgical Tech
How long does it take to become a surgical tech?
Many surgical tech programs take about 12 to 24 months, depending on whether you choose a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Part-time schedules, admission steps, and clinical placement timing can change the total timeline.
What does a surgical tech do?
A surgical tech prepares operating rooms, sets up sterile instruments and supplies, helps maintain the sterile field, passes instruments to the surgical team, assists with counts, and helps keep procedures organized and safe.
Is surgical tech the same as surgical technologist?
In most contexts, yes. Surgical technologist is the more formal title, while surgical tech is the common shortened version. Surgical technician, scrub tech, and operating room technician are also often used, though exact duties can vary by employer.
Do you need a degree to become a surgical tech?
Not always. Surgical technologists typically need a certificate or associate degree from an accredited program. Some programs award certificates or diplomas, while others award associate degrees.
Do surgical techs need to be certified?
Certification depends on state law and employer policy. Some states regulate surgical technologists, and many employers require or prefer certification. The safest approach is to choose training that supports certification eligibility and verify requirements with your state and target employers.
What is the difference between CST and TS-C?
CST is awarded by NBSTSA and generally requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program. TS-C is awarded by NCCT and has multiple eligibility routes, including current student, graduate, experience, high school, military, and instructor pathways.
Can you become a surgical tech online?
You may be able to complete some academic coursework online, but surgical technology requires hands-on lab training and supervised clinical experience. Be cautious with programs that expect you to find your own clinical site.
Is surgical tech school hard?
It can be challenging because students must learn anatomy, microbiology, sterile technique, surgical procedures, instrumentation, and patient-safety practices. Clinical rotations can also be demanding because students must perform in real healthcare environments.
How much does surgical tech school cost?
Cost varies by school, credential type, location, and whether the program is offered through a public community college, private career school, hospital, or university. Ask for total program cost, including books, scrubs, supplies, background checks, immunizations, CPR or BLS, and certification exam fees.
How much do surgical techs make?
According to BLS May 2025 national OEWS data, surgical technologists had a median annual wage of $64,650, or $31.08 per hour. Pay varies by location, employer, experience, shifts, and credentials.
Is surgical tech a good career?
It can be a good career if you want hands-on healthcare work, can handle blood and surgical environments, and want a shorter training path than many licensed clinical roles. It may be a poor fit if you want low stress, remote work, minimal physical demands, or the highest possible healthcare pay.
What is the difference between a surgical tech and a sterile processing technician?
Surgical techs work in or near the operating room and support surgical procedures. Sterile processing technicians clean, sterilize, assemble, and track instruments, usually behind the scenes.
What should I ask before choosing a surgical tech program?
Ask about accreditation, CST or TS-C eligibility, clinical placement support, certification exam pass rates, total program cost, clinical sites, case requirements, and local employer preferences.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - Surgical Assistants and Technologists: link
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - May 2025 OEWS tables, National data for SOC 29-2055 Surgical Technologists: link
- National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting - CST Eligibility: link
- National Center for Competency Testing - Tech in Surgery TS-C Eligibility Criteria: link
- Association of Surgical Technologists - Legislative Overview: link
- Washington State Department of Health - Surgical Technologist: link
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations - Surgical Assistant and Technologist: link
Source check completed July 7, 2026. State requirements and certification rules can change, so students should verify directly with their state agency, certifying organization, target employers, and program director before enrolling.
Find Surgical Technologist Training Near You
If this career still sounds like a fit, the next step is comparing programs carefully. Look for training that supports certification eligibility, includes supervised clinical experience, and matches employer expectations in your state.
Explore surgical technologist training programs and start comparing options near you or online where available.