(888) 745-6262
CALL FOR MORE INFO
info@ncmanow.org
EMAIL US
Registered Surgical Technologist
RST-NCMA Professional Credential
The National Certification Medical Association (NCMA) administers the Registered Surgical Technologist (RST-NCMA) credential through a structured eligibility and competency-assessment process designed to evaluate both the scientific knowledge and demonstrated clinical competencies of Surgical Technology professionals.
The RST-NCMA STANDARD
The academic eligibility pathway combines:
Approximately 1,200 Hours
Academic & Laboratory Education
800 Hours
Documented Supervised Clinical Case Rotation
Two National Credential Examinations
Science & Protocol + Clinical Competency
Approximately 2,000 hours of academic and supervised clinical preparation before national credential examinations.
Why RST-NCMA?
Professional Competency Has More Than One Dimension.
Surgical Technology requires scientific knowledge, technical understanding, clinical experience, adherence to protocol, and the ability to perform safely within the surgical environment.
For this reason, the NCMA RST credentialing pathway does not rely solely upon a single written knowledge examination.
Eligible candidates must successfully satisfy two distinct examination components.
Science & Protocol
What does the candidate know?
Clinical Competency
What can the candidate demonstrate?
For Hospitals, Surgical Centers & Human Resources
What Stands Behind An Rst-Ncma Credential?
When an employer encounters an active RST-NCMA credential, the applicable academic pathway is built around multiple levels of qualification:
1. Institutional Eligibility
Candidates must complete their applicable education through an institution meeting NCMA eligibility requirements.
The educational institution must be appropriately licensed, approved, accredited, authorized, or otherwise officially recognized by the applicable governmental educational authority, as required within its jurisdiction.
NCMA reserves the right to independently verify institutional status and candidate documentation.
2. Academic & Laboratory Preparation
Approximately 1,200 hours of academic and laboratory education through an eligible Surgical Technology educational program.
3. Supervised Clinical Experience
800 documented hours of supervised clinical case rotation in an eligible surgical environment.
4. Science & Protocol Examination
Successful completion of the NCMA national examination evaluating applicable scientific knowledge and professional surgical protocols.
5. Clinical Competency Examination
Successful completion of a separate NCMA clinical examination evaluating the candidate’s ability to demonstrate applicable practical competencies.
6. Credential Award
Only after applicable eligibility, documentation, education, clinical, examination, and administrative requirements have been satisfied may the candidate qualify for the:
Two Examinations
One Professional Credential
EXAMINATION I
Science & Protocol National Credential Examination
The Science & Protocol Examination evaluates knowledge areas applicable to Surgical Technology, which may include:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Surgical Procedures
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Principles of Asepsis
- Sterile Technique
- Infection Prevention
- Perioperative Protocols
- Patient Safety
- Professional Responsibilities
- Clinical Reasoning
EXAMINATION II
Clinical Competency National Credential Examination
The Clinical Competency Examination evaluates the candidate’s ability to demonstrate applicable practical competencies, which may include:
- Surgical hand preparation
- Aseptic technique
- Gowning and gloving
- Maintenance of the sterile field
- Surgical instrumentation
- Safe instrument handling
- Preparation of the operative environment
- Procedural sequencing
- Recognition of contamination
- Appropriate corrective response
- Infection-prevention practices
- Patient and surgical-team safety
- Professional clinical conduct
Why RST-NCMA?
A Credential Built on Competency
Education & Preparation
Strong academic and laboratory foundation.
Documented Clinical Experience
800 hours of supervised practice.
Dual Examination Model
Knowledge + Clinical Competency.
Credential Integrity
Standards Designed to protect professional excellence.
Need Help?
Our team is here to guide you through the RST-NCMA process.