Your Path to Becoming a Surgical Technologist.

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are responsible for various tasks pre, intra, and post operatively. They maintain asepsis during surgery, anticipating the surgeon’s needs while remaining attentive to all aspects of the surgical procedure to ensure a safe environment for the patient.

Choose Your Route

There are THREE (3) routes of eligibility to take the TS-C (NCCT) exam. Select your route of eligibility from the following:

Route 1A - Current Student

Are you a CURRENT STUDENT in a Surgical Technology program from an NCCT (authorized) school?

  • You must be a United States high school student, graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED).
  • You must submit a copy of your Surgical Technology diploma, certificate of completion, or transcript with graduation date within 60 days of graduation; or contact NCCT for other suitable arrangements.
  • You must complete and submit a Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Critical Skills Competency form. Candidates are allowed a maximum of two (2) years from the test date for completion of case documentation.
  • These documents are not required to take the exam but your certification will not be released until they are received.

Exam Fee: $199.00

Route 1B - Graduate

Are you a GRADUATE from an NCCT (authorized) school, within the past FIVE years?

  • You must be a United States high school student, graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED).
  • You must submit a copy of your diploma from your surgical technologist program, certificate of completion, or transcript with graduation date. This includes U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs.
  • You must complete and submit a Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Critical Skills Competency form. Candidates are allowed a maximum of two (2) years from the test date for completion of case documentation.

Exam Fee: $199.00

Route 2 - Experience

You have three years of verifiable full-time experience as a Surgical Technology practitioner within the past FIVE years.

  • You must be a United States high school student, graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED).
  • You must submit a copy of your high school diploma (or equivalent) and the Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Qualification by Experience form completed by your employer.
  • You must have three (3) years of full-time employment or equivalent* (6240 hours) in the past FIVE years working as a surgical technologist under the direct supervision of a Certified/Licensed Physician, Primary Care Provider, and/or RN.
  • Note: Working as an instructor is not equivalent to working as a practitioner.

Exam Fee: $199.00

Route 3 - Military

Have you completed Surgical Technology training or its equivalent during U.S. Military service within the past FIVE years?

  • You must be a United States high school student, graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED).
  • You must provide a copy of a SMART transcript or DD214 indicating you have successfully completed a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces relating to the discipline for which you are testing. The DD214 or SMART transcript must be current within the past FIVE years.
  • You must complete and submit a Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Critical Skill Competency form.

OR

You are a member [active-duty, retired, veteran] of the United States Armed Forces, or a spouse thereof, and have three years of verifiable full-time experience as a Surgical Technology practitioner within the past FIVE years.

  • You must be a United States high school student, graduate or hold equivalent credentials (e.g., GED).
  • You must submit a copy of your high school diploma (or equivalent) and the Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Qualification by Experience form completed by your employer.
  • You must have three (3) years of full-time employment or equivalent* (6240 hours) in the past FIVE years working as a surgical technologist under the direct supervision of a Certified/Licensed Physician, Primary Care Provider, and/or RN.
  • Note: Working as an instructor is not equivalent to working as a practitioner.

Exam Fee: $199.00

Application Information

    In order for NCCT to process your application in a timely manner your application and all required documentation must be submitted 14 days prior to your anticipated test date.

    Applications and payments are valid for one year from the date of submission to NCCT.

    The practice of some professions may be regulated in certain states and it is your responsibility to determine whether this certification meets your state requirements for practice before taking it.

    For information regarding requests for ADA accommodations, download the following documents:

To complete your application; a test site & test date will be required.

Please contact NCCT 800-875-4404 as needed for this information.