Surgical technicians enjoy great job security and make a decent salary. They spend their days in the operating room assisting with everything from minor procedures to major surgeries.
But how long does it take to become a surgical tech?
In some states, you can become a surgical tech after just a few weeks of on-the-job training. If you live in a state that requires certification, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of training program you attend.
This guide covers the length of surgical tech school, the different training options available, the cost of becoming a surgical tech, and more.
Overview – How Long Surgical Tech School & Training Take
How long it takes to become a surgical tech depends heavily on whether your state or employer requires surgical technologists to be certified.
States that require surgical tech certification include:
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Virginia
All surgical techs must have a high school diploma or GED. After that, training can take anywhere from 4 weeks for on-the-job training to around 6 months for an online program to 2 years for an associate degree.
How Long Online Surgical Tech Training Programs Take
Length of time: 6 to 12 months
An online surgical tech training program offers students the flexibility to complete their coursework from home on a schedule that works for them. This is a great option for people who are already working full-time or are caregivers at home.
Most online training programs allow students to complete the classroom portion of their learning from home for the first 3 to 6 months of training.
After the classroom portion is finished, most programs help students find in-person opportunities to practice their skills in an operating room for the final 3 to 6 months.
Online programs typically cost between $1,000 to $6,000 and prepare their students to take either the TS-C or CST certification exams.
You can learn more about these surgical tech certifications here.
How Long a Surgical Tech Certificate from a Community College Takes
Length of time: 12 to 18 months
Students who enroll in a certificate program at a community college can expect to spend a total of 12 to 18 months in the classroom and in clinicals.
Certificate programs typically require students to come into the classroom for lectures, quizzes, and some hands-on practice with surgical instruments for the first 6 months of the program or so.
The second half of many certificate programs requires a combination of classroom learning and hands-on practice in the operating room. Students should expect to spend several hundred hours practicing in the operating room with another surgical technician supervising them.
Like online certificate programs, in-person certificate programs prepare their students to take either the TS-C exam or the CST exam and earn their surgical tech certification.
Most college certificate program tuition costs between $2,000 to $15,000.
How Long an Associate Degree from a Community College Takes
Length of time: 18-24 months
Associate degree programs take longer than certificate-only programs. This is because they require courses like English and social sciences in addition to the surgical technician-specific courses.
Students in associate degree programs typically spend their first year completing general education courses like English, math, and social science. The second year of an associate degree program focuses specifically on skills needed to work as a surgical technician and gives students an opportunity to practice their skills in a lab or operating room.
Students who graduate from associate degree programs earn their degrees and are eligible to take a certification exam. While many students want to earn their degree, most employers are happy to hire job candidates from certificate-only programs.
Associate degree programs not only take the longest to complete but are also the most expensive. Costs of associate degrees vary widely, ranging from $6,000 to $45,000.
How Long Each Step of Becoming a Surgical Tech Takes
Before becoming a surgical tech, you must complete a few steps. Staying organized, submitting paperwork in a timely manner, and committing enough time to study throughout your training program can help you get everything done faster.
Here’s how long each step of the surgical tech process takes, assuming you already have your high school diploma or GED (which typically takes 4 years):
- Complete a training program (6 to 24 months). Online programs can usually be completed in the shortest amount of time, while degree programs take the longest. If you choose an accelerated program, be prepared to spend several hours each day studying.
- Apply for your exam (4 to 6 weeks). After submitting your application to take your exam, you will have to wait for an “authorization to test” email response. Students submit their authorization to test information when they schedule their exam either with an online proctor or at a live testing center.
- Study for your exam (1 to 4 weeks). Most students give themselves a few weeks to study for their exams. Many practice tests and study guides are available online for both the TS-C and CST exams.
- Take your exam (1 day). Show up and take your exam. Good luck!
- Wait for your results (48 hours). Candidates will receive their official exam results via email 48 hours after taking their exam.
- Apply for jobs (1 to 12 weeks). Some students are able to secure a job right away, and some are even lucky enough to be hired by the organization where they completed their practice hours during school. Since the demand for surgical techs is so high, certified candidates can usually find a job within a few weeks.
The total time required to become a surgical tech is about 12 to 36 months, depending on if your state requires certification, if you attend a training program and what type, and how long it takes you to find a job.
Do I Have to Complete a Surgical Tech Training Program or School to Work?
Depending on where you live, you may not have to complete a surgical tech training program or school to work. However, many states do require surgical techs to earn a certification.
States that require surgical tech certification include:
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Virginia
In other states, you may be able to apply for jobs right after earning your high school diploma or GED and can complete on-the-job training. However, most healthcare organizations strongly prefer candidates who have completed some kind of training program and have their surgical tech certification, even if the state does not require it.
How Long the Surgical Tech Certification Process Takes
There are still a few steps left to complete after you will have to complete. The surgical tech certification process will still take a few weeks after program graduation.
First, check to make sure you meet all eligibility requirements. Your training program should tell you whether your school meets the TS-C or CST requirements.
Then, you will create an account with either the NCCT for the TS-C exam or the NBSTSA for the CST exam.
After you create an account, you will submit an application to test and pay your exam fees. This usually requires proof of program completion and a valid identification card. You should receive an authorization to test email 4 to 6 weeks after submitting your application.
After you receive your authorization to test, you will schedule your exam either with an online proctor or at a testing center. Many students choose to give themselves 2 to 4 weeks to study before they take their exams.
After you test, you will receive your official results within 48 hours. Once you pass your exam, you can either start applying for jobs or submit your passing results to your state.
Some states require surgical technicians to register with the state in addition to earning a certification. These states include:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Illinois
- North Dakota
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- Virginia
After you earn your certificate, make sure that you keep your certification up-to-date.
To maintain a CST certification, surgical technologists must complete 30 hours of continuing education and pay a $25 renewal fee every two years.
To recertify as a TS-C, surgical technicians must sign in to their account to see their fees and continuing education requirements.
