Free CST Exam Prep
Certified Surgical Technologist
Prepare for the CST exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
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CST NBSTSA Surgical Technologist Certifications License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
Perioperative Care Fundamentals
Review preoperative patient preparation, room setup, surgical positioning, draping, and surgical consent verification.
Intraoperative Procedures
Master sterile technique, instrument handling, suturing, hemostasis, specimen management, and surgical counts. This is 61/150 scored questions.
Basic Science & Ancillary Duties
Study surgical anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, sterilization methods, and administrative duties.
Practice Exams & Final Review
Take full-length timed practice exams. Focus on intraoperative procedures (highest weight) and sterilization methods.
Can You Take the CST Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Must apply through NBSTSA with official transcripts
- •Allow 2-4 weeks for application processing (rush: $85 for 3-5 business days)
- •Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) before scheduling
- •AST membership recommended for discounted exam fee ($230 vs $340)
CST Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
3-6 months after completing surgical technology program
From start to license in hand
Retake Policy
May retest after receiving official results. Maximum 3 attempts per calendar year. Same fee for retakes.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free CST Prep Tools
Reported exam pass rate: ~70-75% overall. Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.
220+ Practice Questions
Practice by topic with detailed answer explanations
AI Tutor Explains Mistakes
Understand why answers are wrong, not just which ones
Updated for 2026
Review the latest update date on each resource
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What You'll Study
6 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Introduction: CST Exam Overview
3 sections
Chapter 1: Perioperative Care — Preoperative Preparation
4 sections
Chapter 2: Perioperative Care — Intraoperative Procedures
8 sections
Chapter 3: Postoperative Procedures & Ancillary Duties
4 sections
Chapter 4: Basic Science
3 sections
Chapter 5: Exam Strategy & Practice
3 sections
CST Exam Details
Certified Surgical Technologist
Administered by NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) content outline
Preoperative preparation (18 items), intraoperative procedures (61 items), postoperative procedures (12 items)
Administrative and personnel (9 items), equipment sterilization and maintenance (17 items)
Anatomy and physiology (20 items), microbiology (6 items), surgical pharmacology (7 items)
What's Included
6 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds
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What's Next After the CST?
After passing the CST, you can pursue these career paths
CST-SFA (Surgical First Assistant)
Advanced certification for first assisting
CNOR (Perioperative Nursing)
For RNs in the surgical setting
Surgical Technology Instructor
Teaching at accredited programs
CST Exam FAQ
Official NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) Resources
Verify information with these official sources
More Free Resources
Ready to Start Your Free CST Prep?
Review the study guide, practice key concepts, and use the free tools at your own pace.