Nbstsa Verification (2024)

FAQs

What score do you need to pass the NBSTSA? ›

Passing score - effective 1/1/2024, candidates must correctly answer 98 questions to pass the CST examination. There are 175 questions on the test, 150 of which are scored, and 25 of which are being tested for future examinations, and do not count for or against the individual taking the test.

At the heart of this journey lies a crucial milestone – the NBSTSA Surgical Technology Exam. This comprehensive exam contains 175 questions (150 graded) with a pass rate of just 73.7% in 2020. How can you best prepare for the CST exam?

Please allow up to 6 weeks for the NBSTSA to process your application and mail your Authorization To Test (ATT) letter.

In order to become certified, you need to get a minimum of 118 out of 175 responses correct. You will find out within five minutes of taking the test whether or not you passed or failed but it will take up to two weeks to receive your official score reports.

NBSTSA's CST exam requirements state that candidates must correctly answer at least 102 of the 150 scored questions to pass the CST examination. As long as you take your study and preparation seriously, you will most likely be prepared and not find the questions to be exceedingly difficult.

Online Results

Once you complete your exam and submit a score will appear on the screen. If you are 70 and above you will receive your congratulations letter and packet in 3 weeks. If you are 65 and below you received a failing score.

The first year including the updated ACFT at CST proved to be very impressive with a 93.3% pass rate. Out of 251 male Cadets who passed, 23 scored a 600, and out of 184 females who passed, 30 scored between 590-599.

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) – Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) The CST certification offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) allows future surgical technologists to demonstrate their clinical skills and education background.

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)® and Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)® are registered trademarks of The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and may only be used by individuals who have taken and passed the national certification examination and hold a valid certification ...

Log-in from the comfort of your home or office at your assigned examination time. Verify your identity with the proctor. Complete your Online Proctored exam.

What is the purpose of NBSTSA? ›

The mission of the NBSTSA is to provide professional certification of surgical technologists (CST) and surgical first assistants (CSFA), thus promoting quality patient care in the surgical setting.

Cost of Surgical Tech Certifications

The initial cost of the CST exam is $190 for Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) members and $290 for non-members. Recertification costs $25 every 2 years.

The CST examination includes 175 questions, with 150 scored and 25 unscored pretest items. The current passing score is a minimum of 102 correct answers out of the 150 scored questions.

Surgical technologist candidates who are unsuccessful in passing the examination may test up to a total of three (3) times in a calendar year. Candidates are required to pay the total testing fee (processing and examination) each time they test.

Total Score and Test Status

These scaled scores range from 400 to 600, with a scaled score of 520 representing the minimum passing score.

The score for each examination is reported as a “scaled score,” with 75 being the minimum passing score. This means that everyone's score has been standardized on a scale on which 75 is the minimum passing score.

The CST examination consists of 175 questions, 150 of which are scored. The 25 pretest items (unscored) are randomly distributed throughout the examination for the purpose of analysis and statistical evaluation. The passing score is the minimum number of questions that must be answered correctly.