Last updated: October 2026
What does a surgical tech do?
Surgical technologists (also called surgical techs, surgery techs or scrub techs) are essential members of the surgical team. They prepare the operating room, set up and maintain the sterile field, pass instruments to the surgeon, and help keep the patient safe throughout the procedure. Most work in hospitals and spend their shift on their feet. In the fast-paced world of healthcare, they play a critical role in making sure surgical procedures run smoothly: they help surgeons, nurses and the rest of the team keep a sterile environment, arrange surgical instruments and anticipate the surgeon's needs. See what a surgical tech does day to day.
How to become a surgical tech in 6 steps
Step 1: Finish high school (or get your GED) and meet program prerequisites
Most employers and every program require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Programs usually also ask for:
- A minimum age, usually 18
- Proof of immunizations and a health screening, for programs with clinical placements
- A background check and drug screen before clinical placements
- CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. The BLS notes many jobs require it.
High school biology, anatomy or health science classes help, but they aren't required.
Step 2: Choose your route and complete a surgical technology program
This is the biggest decision you'll make, because it decides how long training takes, what it costs and which certification you can sit for. Accredited programs are usually offered by community colleges, technical colleges and vocational institutions, and typically lead to a diploma, certificate or associate degree. During your training you'll learn about surgical specialties, surgical instruments, anatomy, microbiology, sterilization and infection control.
| Route | Typical length | Where | CST eligible? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate degree in surgical technology | About 2 years | Community and technical colleges | Yes, if CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited | Widest job options; a base for further study |
| Certificate or diploma | Shorter than a degree; varies by program | Colleges, vocational programs, some hospitals | Yes, if accredited | A faster route with the same main credential |
| Accelerated online program (bootcamp) | A few months of coursework, plus clinical time if the credential needs it | Online, with in-person clinicals where required | No: leads to the TS-C (with an externship) or the NRST | Working adults who need flexibility |
| Registered apprenticeship | About 2 years | A hospital employer with a partner college | Yes, when the college program is accredited | Earning a paycheck while you train |
| Military training | Varies by branch | Armed forces | Yes | Service members and veterans |
A bootcamp-style accelerated program is one of the quickest ways to start. These intensive programs give you focused education in a condensed timeframe, covering fundamentals such as anatomy, medical terminology, sterilization techniques and surgical procedures, along with the healthcare industry, ethics and patient care. Hands-on practice comes through labs or a clinical externship, depending on the program. See whether 6-week and other fast programs are legit.
Before you enroll anywhere, check two things: the program's accreditation in the CAAHEP program finder, and which certification its graduates can take. That second answer matters more than the program's name.
Step 3: Get hands-on clinical experience
Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of becoming a skilled surgical technologist. Accredited programs include clinical rotations where you work in an operating room under the guidance of experienced professionals: at least 120 surgical cases for CST-track programs, and 125 documented cases (90 as first scrub) for the NCCT's TS-C (NCCT). During rotations you'll prepare the operating room, sterilize equipment, pass instruments to surgeons and help keep patients safe. That builds the multitasking, attention to detail and adaptability the job needs. For hours, case types and how to find a site, see the surgical tech externship guide.
Step 4: Get certified
Certification is not a legal requirement in every state, but it's a crucial step for credibility and getting hired. Many hospitals and surgical centers prioritize certified techs, and some states require certification or registration. The main options:
- CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) from the NBSTSA: the most widely recognized credential. To sit for the exam you must graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program or a military program, then pass it.
- TS-C (Tech in Surgery – Certified) from the NCCT: open to NCCT-authorized program students and graduates, or techs with three years of full-time experience.
- NRST (Nationally Registered Surgical Technologist) from American Allied Health: an online-friendly option; check that employers in your area accept it.
Certification shows your commitment to professionalism and ongoing education, and it opens doors to better jobs and higher pay. Compare all three in our certified surgical technologist guide.
Step 5: Land your first surgical tech job
Most surgical techs work in hospitals; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians' offices. Your clinical site is often your best lead, so treat every rotation like an interview. Surgical technologists held about 118,400 jobs in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average (BLS). The median pay was $64,650 in May 2025. See surgical tech salary by state.
Step 6: Advance your career
Becoming a surgical technologist is the start. As you gain experience you can specialize in an area such as cardiovascular surgery or orthopedics, which deepens your knowledge of its procedures and equipment. Further education, such as an associate or bachelor's degree in surgical technology or a related field, can lead to leadership roles, teaching or healthcare management. The BLS notes techs can also move into roles such as surgical assistant or registered nurse with more training. See the surgical tech career path.
Surgical tech requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Needed for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | Every program | The starting point |
| Surgical technology program | Every route | Certificate, diploma or associate degree; accredited if you want the CST |
| Clinical cases in an operating room | CST and TS-C | 120 cases (CST-track programs); 125 cases, 90 first scrub (TS-C) |
| National certification | Most employers; some states | CST, TS-C or NRST |
| CPR / Basic Life Support | Many jobs | Per the BLS |
| State registration | Some states | For example Texas, Virginia and Illinois have rules; see the certification guide |
How much schooling do you need to be a surgical tech?
Usually one to two years after high school, and less on an accelerated route. The BLS lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry-level education, with many techs earning an associate degree. Coursework covers anatomy, physiology, microbiology, medical terminology and surgical procedures, plus supervised clinical training.
How long does it take to become a surgical tech?
| Route | Time to job-ready |
|---|---|
| Associate degree | About 2 years |
| Certificate or diploma | Shorter than a degree; varies by program, and clinical time and the exam add to it |
| Accelerated online program | Months, depending on the credential and any externship |
| Apprenticeship | About 2 years, while employed |
For a full breakdown, see how long it takes to become a surgical tech.
Do you need a degree to be a surgical tech?
No, not usually. A certificate or diploma from a surgical technology program is enough for most jobs, and an associate degree is common but not required. A bachelor's degree isn't needed to start; it helps later if you move into leadership or teaching.
The journey to becoming a surgical technologist has traditionally meant a formal degree, but alternatives such as accelerated programs are gaining ground. Here's how they compare with a degree:
- Flexibility in training: accelerated programs offer focused training in a shorter timeframe, which suits people moving quickly into a new career or balancing work and family. Many combine classroom instruction, practical exercises and real-world simulations of the surgical environment.
- Cost: degree programs can carry a significant price tag, including tuition, books and living expenses. Accelerated programs tend to cost less because they are shorter and more focused.
- Industry-relevant skills: degrees include broader coursework; accelerated programs focus on the technical skills used in the operating room, often designed with industry professionals.
- Rapid entry into the workforce: degree programs take years, including general education courses. Accelerated programs can get you job-ready in months, so you start earning sooner.
- Career transition: accelerated programs suit adults changing careers, and people with healthcare experience can build on what they know.
The trade-off: the CST, the most widely recognized credential, requires graduation from an accredited program, and most accelerated online programs are not CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited. Check which credential employers in your area hire before you choose.
Some accelerated programs also let you spread the cost. Health Tech Academy, for example, offers a monthly payment plan for its Surgical Technologist program.
Can you become a surgical tech online?
Partly. You can complete the coursework online, including anatomy, medical terminology, instruments and sterile technique. The hands-on part can't be done online: CST and TS-C candidates need documented surgical cases in a real operating room. "Online" surgical tech programs are hybrid in practice, or they lead to a credential that doesn't require clinical cases, such as the NRST.
Before you enroll in an online program, ask: which certification does it prepare me for, is an externship included, and who arranges the clinical site?
Can you become a surgical tech in your 30s with no healthcare experience?
Yes. Programs set a minimum age, not a maximum, and no prior healthcare experience is required. Many students are career changers. What matters is meeting the entry requirements and handling the physical side of the job: the BLS lists physical stamina, dexterity, attention to detail, communication and stress management among the key qualities.
Experience from other jobs carries over: customer service builds communication, retail and warehouse work build stamina, and military service builds composure under pressure. A realistic path for a career changer:
- Check that you meet the prerequisites (Step 1).
- Pick a route that fits your budget and schedule: a part-time college program, an accelerated program, or an apprenticeship where you're paid while you train.
- Plan for the clinical phase: it's the least flexible part, usually daytime hospital hours.
- Get certified, then use your clinical site as your first job lead.
Surgical tech apprenticeships: earn while you learn
A registered apprenticeship combines a paid job at a hospital with a college program. You train on the job while completing coursework, often with tuition covered by the employer. Two recent examples:
- Wisconsin: Northwood Tech and partner hospitals run a two-year registered apprenticeship that leads to an associate degree in surgical technology. Apprentices are employed and paid throughout, and the program's CAAHEP accreditation lets graduates take the NBSTSA certification exam (Northwood Tech).
- Rhode Island: New England Institute of Technology and Brown University Health launched the state's first surgical technologist registered apprenticeship in 2026, with paid clinical work in Brown University Health operating rooms (Brown University Health).
Apprenticeships are competitive and tied to one employer and area. Ask hospitals near you whether they run one, and look at workforce funding such as WIOA for other no-cost options.
Skills you need to become a surgical tech
Becoming a proficient surgical technologist takes a mix of technical skill, people skills and a strong commitment to patient care:
- Attention to detail and sterile technique: every instrument, piece of equipment and supply must be properly sterilized and arranged. A small oversight can compromise patient safety, so maintaining a sterile field is essential to prevent infections.
- Communication and teamwork: you work closely with surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists, and clear communication helps you anticipate the surgeon's needs and handle the unexpected.
- Dexterity and hand-eye coordination: you pass instruments, hold tissue and handle delicate equipment quickly and accurately.
- Problem-solving and adaptability: no two procedures are the same. You need to stay composed and switch gears if the plan changes.
- Emotional resilience and empathy: high-stress and emergency cases take a toll, and you still need to stay focused and reassure patients and families.
- Medical terminology and anatomy: you identify instruments, anticipate the surgeon's next step and help position the patient.
- Organization and time management: instruments and supplies must be ready before the procedure starts so the team can focus on the patient.
Developing these skills alongside your technical training will prepare you to contribute to successful surgical outcomes and make a real difference to patients.
Where Health Tech Academy fits
- Surgical Technologist program: 16 weeks (260 hours), online and self-paced; prepares you for the NRST, with one exam voucher included. No externship is required for the NRST, and most students are job-ready in about 4–6 months.
- Surgical Tech Professional program: an NCCT-authorized program that prepares you for the NCCT TS-C. After the online coursework, you complete 125 documented surgical cases at a clinical facility you secure with HTA's support. Placement isn't guaranteed, and finding a site typically takes 6–8 months after the coursework, so most students reach the exam in about 14–15 months.
Both programs include five 1-on-1 sessions with a coach who has 5+ years of healthcare experience. Neither program is CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited, so neither leads to the CST. If you need the CST, use the CAAHEP finder.
Start Your Surgical Tech Career
If you're ready to start a career as a surgical technologist, compare our surgical tech programs or take the career assessment.
Compare Our Programs →Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements to become a surgical tech?
A high school diploma or GED, completion of a surgical technology program with clinical training, and in most cases a national certification. Some states also require registration.
Do you need a degree to be a surgical tech?
No. A certificate or diploma is enough for most jobs. An associate degree is common; a bachelor's degree isn't required.
Can you become a surgical tech online?
Partly. Coursework can be online, but CST and TS-C candidates must complete surgical cases in a real operating room.
How long does it take to become a surgical tech?
About one to two years for most college programs, and less on an accelerated route. Clinical time and the exam add to the total.
Can I become a surgical tech at 30, 40 or older?
Yes. Programs set a minimum age, not a maximum, and many students are career changers.
Is it hard to become a surgical tech?
It's demanding but achievable: the coursework is science-heavy, the clinical phase is physically tiring, and the CST exam needs serious preparation.
What is the fastest way to become a surgical tech?
An accelerated program with an externship, followed by certification. Be wary of programs that promise job-ready status in a few weeks; see our guide to 6-week programs.
Is a surgical tech the same as a scrub tech?
Yes. "Scrub tech", "surgery tech" and "surgical technician" all describe the same job.
Can you get paid while training to be a surgical tech?
Yes, through a registered apprenticeship, where a hospital employs you while you complete a college program.
How much do surgical techs make?
The median was $64,650 in May 2025, according to the BLS. Pay varies by state and specialty.
