A TO Z OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND RECERTIFICATION - AST Association of Surgical Technologists

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Comprehensive guidance on continuing education (CE) credits and the recertification process for surgical technologists. Explains the roles of AST and NBSTSA, the credential renewal requirements for CST and CSFA, and the acceptable methods to confirm and submit CE credits. Covers AST-approved CE, key eligibility exclusions for certain events and inservices, and practical instructions for reporting CE credits by mail, fax, or approved email documentation, including processing timelines and recommended submission timing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Who is AST?

Who is NBSTSA?

Recertification

General Information

Submitting CE Credits

Recertify by Earning

Continuing Education (CE) Credits

Nonmember Information

Recertifying by Examination

NBSTSA General Information

NBSTSA Renewal of the Credential

Name Change by Continuing Education

Checklist Before Submitting CE Credits to AST

Definitions

A TO Z OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND RECERTIFICATION AST Association of Surgical Technologists TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Who is AST? ..............................................................2 Who is NBSTSA? .........................................................2 Recertification General Information ....................................................3 Submitting CE Credits ..................................................4 Recertify by Earning ...................................................4 Continuing Education (CE) Credits Why CE Credits Are Not Accepted ....................................13 Nonmember Information ..............................................14 Recertifying by Examination .........................................15 NBSTSA General Information NBSTSA Renewal of the Credential ..................................16 by Continuing Education Name Change ............................................................17 Checklist Before Submitting CE Credits to AST .....................18 Definitions................................................................18 INTRODUCTION Who is AST? The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) is the national professional organization for surgical technologists. AST’s primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists have the knowledge and skills to administer patient care of the highest quality by setting standards for education, supporting state and federal legislative efforts, and providing quality continuing education opportunities. AST 6 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste 200 Littleton, CO 80120-8031 800-637-7433 [www.ast.org](www.ast.org) Business Hours: Monday – Friday 8 am-4:30 pm MDT AST Association of Surgical Technologists Who is The NBSTSA? The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) oversees all aspects of the national certification examinations including developing and administering the exams—and grant the CST* and CSFA* credentials to individuals who successfully pass the exam. NBSTSA 3 West Dry Creek Circle Littleton, CO 80120-8031 800-707-0057 [www.nbstsa.org](www.nbstsa.org) Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm MDT * CST® and CSFA® are registered trademarks of the NBSTSA. A T O Z OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND RECERTIFICATION 2 RECERTIFICATION: TWO METHODSTO RECERTIFY General Information AST is responsible for verifying, processing and recording CE credits earned by the CST and CSFA to be applied toward the renewal of the credential. The CE credits are maintained in the members CE file (nonmembers see “General Information for Nonmembers”) . Three Methods A Member Can Confirm CE Credits 1. When CE credits are recorded a CE Credit Letter confirming the number of CE credits that were accepted and recorded is mailed for personal records. 2. AST website using member login information at [www.ast.org](www.ast.org). 3. Every January, AST mails an annual CE Credit Letter to all members with the total number of CE credits that have been earned during the previous calendar year. AST-Approved CE AST is also the approval body for CE. Businesses and organizations that would like to offer CE to the CST and CSFA are required to submit their CE offerings to AST for review and possible approval. The CST and CSFA are required to earn AST approved CE credits. However, this does not apply to healthcare facility inservices; live events that are planned and sponsored by professional organizations that are accredited by the Accreditation Review Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME); or live events approved through the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA-CERP) and Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) . Healthcare facilities are not required to complete the CE program approval process for inservices as well as ACCMEaccredited professional organizations who sponsor

FAQs

What are the responsibilities of AST in the recertification process?

AST verifies, processes, and records CE credits earned by CST and CSFA for use in credential renewal. It also maintains member CE files and supports continuing education opportunities through standards and approval processes.

How can members confirm whether their CE credits were accepted and recorded?

Members can confirm through AST’s CE Credit Letter, by checking the AST website using member login information, and via the annual CE Credit Letter mailed each January summarizing the prior calendar year.

What are the CE credit requirements for CST and CSFA to renew by continuing education?

The CST must earn 60 CE credits and the CSFA must earn 75 CE credits during the four-year certification cycle to renew the credential through continuing education.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven