While there are generally no prerequisites for starting this program, classes in biology, chemistry, and health may give you a good foundation for your studies.

An associate’s degree lasts two years while a certificate will only take a few months. While both will work, an associate’s degree may qualify you for more jobs. To see if a school is accredited, look it up in the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ database. [3] X Research source Any accredited surgical technology program will offer hands-on experience. For this reason, online programs may not be accredited, as they will not be able to provide this training.

The US Air Force offers an apprenticeship in surgical services. This requires 624 hours of training. The US Army will train you as an operating room specialist. This program requires 768 hours of training. The US Navy has a program in surgical technology that requires 1057 hours.

CPR certification usually lasts for two years. You will need to renew it after that point. BLS training teaches you how to respond to medical emergencies. BLS training sometimes includes CPR. Certification lasts two years.

The certified surgical technologist exam from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) costs between $190 (for members of the Association of Surgical Technologists) and $290 (for non-members). The certified tech in surgery from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) costs either $155 (for students and recent grads) or $195. [7] X Research source You can join the Association of Surgical Technologists by filling out a form and paying a $80 fee on their website. This is not necessary to pass either exam, but it may provide a discount on exam fees. [8] X Research source

If you are applying online, use the portals on the NBSTSA or NCCT website. Scan your documents into the computer, and upload them as PDFs. You can pay by card. If you are applying by mail, print out a copy of the application from their website. Make copies of your documents. Attach them to your application with a paper clip. Include a check for your exam.

For the NBSTSA exam, you will answer 105 questions about operative care, including sterilization, machine operation, and patient transfer. Twenty questions will cover other duties such as testing equipment or talking to patients. There are also 50 basic science questions. The NCCT exam contains 135 questions about surgical care, including preparing a catheter, assisting with sutures, and operating machinery. The other 40 questions cover additional duties, such as how to inventory supplies or label samples. [10] X Research source

You may also have some luck looking for jobs at local medical practices and outpatient care centers.

They may ask you to describe a certain medical procedure. You should explain the procedure in as much detail as possible as well as what your role will be during the procedure. The interviewer may want to know how you will act in emergencies. Based on your training, explain the proper procedure for handling an emergency. The interviewer may be interested in personal details, such as why you want to become a surgical tech or how you handle stress. Use specific stories and anecdotes to illustrate your point. For example, you might explain how undergoing surgery made you appreciate the people working hard to heal you.

Re-certification generally costs about $77 for one certification and $104 for more than one.