If you are on the path or searching for information to become a surgical technologist you may come across information talking about a surgical technology certificate as well as information on surgical technologist certification. This can get confusing especially to people who are just starting to learn more about this career and are not sure where to begin. Therefore, we have a question to ask and answer:

What Is The Difference Between A Surgical Tech Certificate VS Surgical Tech Certification?

A certificate program of study is offered by some schools and colleges after a student completes a set of courses. Each school is different and not all schools offer a certificate in surgical technology. Many schools offer a two year associate degree in surgical technology and/or a surgical tech diploma program.

A certification on the other hand is something that is completed after the educational program is completed. Depending on what type of program you complete (degree, certificate, or diploma), where you plan to work after you graduate, and your longer term career goals will play a role in what certification, if any, you should obtain.

Many of the employers do like to offer jobs to certified surgical technologists as opposed to a job applicant who never earned their certification. Once you have completed a your associates degree from an CAAHEP accredited program then you could sit and take any needed exams (and pay any required fees). You should learn more about that in school and you will also likely learn more about CAAHEP (Commission On Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Some other entities to learn more about with respect to your career and certification are the AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) and NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting).