Surgical Technologist in California

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$81,120

trending_up +29.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, California.

engineering

10,570

Jobs (CA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$290

Licensing fees

schedule

12-24 months for education program; 6 weeks for NBSTSA application processing (rush processing available for $85 fee)

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in California

To become a Surgical Technologist in California, while a state license is not required, national certification is highly recommended and often a requirement for employment. Candidates typically complete a surgical technologist program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Upon completion, individuals can pursue certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) by passing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, or through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) by passing the Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam. Certification must be renewed every two years for CSTs, requiring 30 continuing education credits, or annually for TS-Cs, requiring 14 continuing education credits.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $57,070

25th percentile $66,660

50th (median) $81,120

75th percentile $96,830

90th (experienced) $114,390

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist California requirements

Licensing body	National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
State license	Not required
Education	Completion of a surgical technologist program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or a military surgical-technician training program. Some employers may accept 3 years of experience as a surgical tech for the TS-C exam.
Exam	Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam or Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam ($290)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	California does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers prefer or require national certification. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. CST renewal fee is $40 every two years, plus a $100 late fee if renewing 1-90 days after expiration. TS-C renewal fee is $77 annually. A high school diploma or GED is generally required for program entry. Some programs require clinical hours (e.g., 540 hours or 90-120 cases).

Source: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

7,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

115,600

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.48/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a surgical technologist career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a surgical technologist in California? expand_more

To become a surgical technologist in California, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a surgical technologist program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or a military surgical-technician training program. Some employers may accept 3 years of experience as a surgical tech for the TS-C exam.), and pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam or Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam.

Is a state license required for surgical technologists in California? expand_more

surgical technologists in California are not required to hold a state license. Note: California does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers prefer or require national certification. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. CST renewal fee is $40 every two years, plus a $100 late fee if renewing 1-90 days after expiration. TS-C renewal fee is $77 annually. A high school diploma or GED is generally required for program entry. Some programs require clinical hours (e.g., 540 hours or 90-120 cases).

What is the average surgical technologist salary in California? expand_more

In California, the median pay for surgical technologists comes to $81,120/year. That's 29% above the national median of $62,830. New surgical technologists start around $57,070; seasoned professionals can reach $114,390.

What are the fees to become a surgical technologist in California? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($290). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How many months or years does surgical technologist certification take in California? expand_more

The typical timeline in California is 12-24 months for education program; 6 weeks for NBSTSA application processing (rush processing available for $85 fee). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for surgical technologists in California? expand_more

Yes — surgical technologists in California must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.