Certification

Q & A renewing of the credential by continuing education credits.

How many credits do I need to renew my NBSTSA credential?
As of January 1, 2009 per the NBSTSA all certified individuals are on the four-year certification cycle.

Four-Year Certification Cycle — CSTs
Certified Surgical Technologist® (CST) must earn 60 CE credits before the four-year cycle expires to renew the credential.

Four-Year Certification Cycle — CSFAs
Certified Surgical First Assistant® (CSFA) must earn 75 CE credits before the four-year cycle expires to renew the credential.

AST encourages you to have your fulfillment of approved CE credits on file with AST at least six (6) months before your certification expiration date. Having your credits processed early helps to eliminate last minute problems should your credits be denied.  Once your credential has expired, the window to earn qualifying CE credits is gone and the only option then is to re-take the exam through the NBSTSA.

National Board of Surgial Technology and Surgical Assisting Contact Information

NBSTSA

www.nbstsa.org

800.707.0057. option 1

mail@nbstsa.org

Business Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT

Association of Surgical Technologists Contact Information

800.637.7433, option 3

memserv@ast.org

Business Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT

What qualifies for CE credits toward renewing ot the CST and CSFA credential?

View the AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA.

In-services through your employer that are relevant to the medical surgical practice of surgical technology and surgical assisting and at least 30 minutes in length are an example of CE credits accepted. In-services through your employer entails a live event held at your place of employment. Third party online programs and other enduring materials, such as those through HealthStream and Medline, need to have program approval through AST. For a complete list, refer to the Approved CE Programs and Enduring Materials.

Who is in charge of certification?
The certifying agency for surgical technologists and surgical assistants is the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).  It is solely responsible for all decisions regarding certification.

Why do you charge a renewal fee when I am an AST member?
The NBSTSA charges a renewal fee for renewing of your credential.  AST and NBSTSA are two separate organizations.  AST processes the Continuing Education Credits for individuals recertifying by credits and the NBSTSA administers the recertification and issues the certification card and certificate.    

Why are you charging me a late fee?
AST does not charge late fees.

Why do you require a photo?
AST does not require a photo.

How can I schedule a time to take the recertification exam?
Once you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, you may contact Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) to schedule a time.

Name change?

Previously or currently certification, name change is through the NBSTSA.

My certification has lapsed. Do I have to retake the exam?
Contact the NBSTSA at 800-707-0057, option 1.

How do I submit my continuing education credits to AST?
Checklist before submitting CE credits to AST

• All CE credits earned while an AST member?
• All CE credits earned within your current certification cycle set forth by the NBSTSA?
• CE credits relevant to the medical-surgical practice of surgical technology and surgical assisting?
• Submit CE Reporting Form? CE credits will be returned without a CE Reporting Form.
• List each educational activity on the CE Reporting Form?
• Submit proper documentation for each education activity listed on the CE Reporting Form? Keep originals of documentation and submit copies.
• Enclose the proper fee (if applicable)?

Members: no additional fee for processing CE credits excluding AST tests
Nonmembers: $400 processing fee (Includes one-year AST membership.)
Money orders, personal checks, institutional checks, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Checks payable to AST.

3 Ways to Submit Your CE Credits

• Mail to: AST, 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste 200, Littleton, CO 80120-8031
• Fax CE credits to: 303.694.9169 Do not mail credits that were previously faxed.
• Email scanned CE credits in PDF format to: memserv@ast.org. Do not mail credits that were previously emailed.

How do I know if my CE credits were approved? How can I find out how many continuing education credits I have on file with AST?

• Each time CE credits are submitted for processing, AST mails a CE credit confirmation letter for your records.
• As an AST member, you can check your CE credits online by using your login information at www.ast.org.
• Each January, AST mails an annual CE credit letter to all certified members with the total of continuing education credits that have been earned in your current certification cycle.

How long does it take AST to process CE credits?
CE credits are processed within 10 business days from the day received.

What happens to my CE credits that AST has recorded if I do not renew my membership?
If AST membership lapses for more than 90 days, the CE credits earned and submitted while you were a member are maintained by AST and can be applied toward renewal of the credential.

If I join AST after I earned by CE credits as a nonmember will they be accepted toward renewal of certification?
CE credits are accepted with the $400 nonmember processing fee.

How can I access AST tests and discounted CE packages online?

Online CE credit access is available at www.ast.org.

• Click on "Earn CEs" on top of the homepage.
• Click on the "Earn CE Credit Online Resource Center " link.
• Under Member Log-in, enter your "User Name" which is your full email address on file with AST.
• Enter your "Password."

This takes you to the Continuing Education Resource Center. The exam can be purchased online. If you prefer not to pay online, print out the certificate of completion and mail with appropriate fee to AST.

Nonmembers: Online CE credit access is a benefit of AST membership.

Do I need to submit documentation from my local state assembly meetings and AST approved commercial programs? Don't they automatically send this to AST?
Organizations or companies do not automatically send AST documentation. It is the responsibility of the CST or CSFA to submit proof of CE credits earned.

Is it $6 per credit to submit my CE credits as an AST Member?
CE credits earned through AST cost $6 per credit for members and $10 per credit for nonmembers. These rates only apply to CE credits provided by AST through the monthly issue of The Surgical Technologist or the AST Online CE Resource Center. They do not apply to credits not earned through AST.

Do I need to send proof of CE credits for recertification to the NBSTSA with my renewal application?
You do not need to mail proof of your CE credits to NBSTSA. Your CE credits are automatically on file with the NBSTSA.