Free TS-C Exam Prep
Tech in Surgery, Certified (NCCT)
Prepare for the TS-C exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
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TS-C NCCT Certifications License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
Perioperative Foundations: Science, Sterility, and SafetyYou are here
Master basic science, sterilization methods and monitoring, environmental safety (SDS, surgical smoke, laser, RACE/PASS), CDC standard and transmission-based precautions, and communication/reporting duties. 41 of 150 scored items (~27%).
Preoperative Set-Up, Patient Safety, and Sterile Technique
The most heavily weighted domain (48 of 150 scored items, 32%): case setup and preference cards, patient transfer and positioning, Surgical Time Out, hand scrub, gowning/gloving, skin prep, and draping.
Intraoperative Supplies and Surgeon Support
37 of 150 scored items (~25%), dominated by Surgeon Support (26 items): instrument identification and passing, surgical counts, hemostasis, energy devices, sutures/needles, staplers, wound-class technique, and specimen handling across surgical specialties.
End of Procedure, Postoperative Tasks, and Practice Exams
24 of 150 scored items (16%): dressings, post-surgical devices, procedure verification, medication/solution totals, back-table sterility, instrument prep for decontamination, and room turnover — then complete full-length timed practice exams targeting 80%+ before scheduling.
Can You Take the TS-C Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Current student route: enrolled in approved surgical tech program with school endorsement
- •Graduate route: completed CAAHEP- or ABHES-recognized program (or NCCT-approved)
- •Experience route: 3+ years full-time surgical tech employment within the last 5 years
- •Military route: completed Armed Forces surgical technologist training (e.g., Army 68D Operating Room Specialist)
- •High school route: high school surgical tech career-tech program with required hours
TS-C Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
8-12 weeks typical
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
NCCT-approved test sites (including school-based sites) and online remote proctoring (ExamRoom.AI)
Retake Policy
Candidates who do not pass must wait 30 days before retaking and pay the full fee for each attempt.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free TS-C Prep Tools
Reported exam pass rate: approximately 79% (first-time, 2025). Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.
126+ 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
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What You'll Study
11 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Chapter 1: Introduction, Exam Logistics, and Aseptic Principles
4 sections
Chapter 2: Decontamination, Packaging, and Sterilization Methods
4 sections
Chapter 3: Preoperative Case Setup, Infection Precautions, and Perioperative Reporting
3 sections
Chapter 4: Perioperative Patient Preparation, Positioning, and Draping
5 sections
Chapter 5: Surgical Instrumentation, Equipment, and Counts
5 sections
Chapter 6: Hemostasis, Energy Modalities, and Surgical Fire Safety
3 sections
Chapter 7: Wound Closure, Sutures, Needles, and Wound Healing
3 sections
Chapter 8: Surgical Specialties I: General, OB/GYN, and GU Procedures
3 sections
Chapter 9: Surgical Specialties II: Orthopedic, Neuro, Cardiovascular, and ENT/Plastics
4 sections
Chapter 10: Postoperative Care, Drains, Specimens, and Room Turnover
3 sections
Chapter 11: Surgical Pharmacology, Anesthesia, and Legal/Ethical Standards
3 sections
TS-C Exam Details
Tech in Surgery, Certified (NCCT)
Administered by NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing)
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing) content outline
Basic science (anatomy, drugs, medication rights, fluids), integrity and sterility of items, environmental safety (SDS, spills, smoke, laser, RACE/PASS, precautions), communication and reporting (preference cards, counts, incidents, labeling)
Surgical procedure set-up (room environment, supplies, equipment, instrument assembly), patient safety (special populations, transfer, safety equipment, Surgical Time Out), sterile technique (opening the field, hand scrub, gowning/gloving, prepping, draping)
Preparation of supplies (sutures, needles, implants, stapling devices) and surgeon support (instrument selection, sponging, suction, irrigation, retraction, indirect cautery, suture handling, wound-class technique, specimen handling)
Skin closure assistance, dressings, post-surgical devices, procedure verification, medication/solution totals, postop complication recognition, back-table sterility until the patient leaves, instrument prep for decontamination, room turnover, end-of-day cleaning
What's Included
11 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
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What's Next After the TS-C?
After passing the TS-C, you can pursue these career paths
TS-C Exam FAQ
Official NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing) Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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