CST
Surgical technologists prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments during surgery. The CST exam tests perioperative care before, during and after surgery, sterilization and equipment, and the anatomy, microbiology and pharmacology behind them.
Several states require surgical technologists to hold a national certification such as the CST, and most hospitals require it to hire. NBSTSA, CST certification.
Practice and timed mocks are free, with right or wrong on every answer and your total score. The full analysis is $39, once.
How the exam is built
Owned by National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, given by PSI.
CST exam
150 scored questions (175 in total), 240 minutes, to pass: 98 of 150 scored questions right.
| Topic | Share |
|---|---|
| Perioperative Care | 65% |
| Ancillary Duties | 15% |
| Basic Science | 20% |
The official outline: www.nbstsa.org/uploads/2024_CST_ECO.pdf. Checked 2026-10-08.
Sources
- NBSTSA Surgical Technologist Certifying Examination (CST) Content Outline, effective 1/1/2023 (current edition posted on nbstsa.org as 2024_CST_ECO), retrieved 2026-10-08.
- Exam format and pass rule, retrieved 2026-10-08.
Questions are original, written from the official outline and primary sources under an assessment framework designed by Julian Calvo, Ed.D., M.S. DecipherU is not affiliated with the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. CST is an NBSTSA credential. Every practice question is original and written from the official outline, CDC, WHO, OSHA, FDA and Joint Commission sources.