What education is required to become a Certified Surgical Technologist?
In order to become a Certified Surgical Technologist, one must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredited Surgical Technology Program. A list of all CAAHEP accredited programs/schools in the United States can be found here. Schools offering ABHES accreditation can be found here. Programs typically last between 9 and 24 months and can lead to a certificate, associate of applied science, or associate of science degree in Surgical Technology, with the associate of science degree being the preferred educational model for entry into the profession. Many schools exist that do not offer CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation, and these programs will not lead to national certification, which is a requirement in many states, cities, and hospitals/facilities. It is vital to check the accreditation status of any school offering education in Surgical Technology. Program prerequisites vary
