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.
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You must complete and submit a Tech in Surgery - Certified (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.
Route 1B - Graduate
Are you a GRADUATE from a Surgical Technology program?
- 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.
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You must complete and submit a Tech in Surgery - Certified (NCCT) Critical Skills Competency form. Candidates are allowed a maximum of two (2) years from the test date for completion of case documentation.
This includes U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs.
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 - Certified (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.
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 - Certified (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 - Certified (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.