NCCT SURGICAL TECH COMPLETE REVIEW
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE OUTLINE
=== START OF EXAM ===
NCCT TECH IN SURGERY – CERTIFIED (TS-C) EXAM
Complete Review Study Guide & Practice Outline | 2025/2026 | Newest Version
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam is administered by the National
Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and is recognized by the National
Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
| Detail | Information |
|--|-|
| Exam Name | Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) |
| Administering Body | NCCT |
| Exam Length | 175 questions (150 scored, 25 pretest) |
1
,| Passing Score | 70% |
| Renewal | Every 1 year through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) |
ELIGIBILITY PATHWAYS
Education Pathway
- Graduates of NCCT-approved surgical technology programs
- Must complete 125 cases with 90 as first scrub
- Case mix: 30-50 general surgeries and 75-95 in at least three different specialties
Experience Pathway
- Three years (6,240 hours) of full-time work as a Surgical Technologist within the
past five years
- Must include performance of all critical skills required for a surgical technologist
- Experience must be obtained within the United States or its territories
Verifiers
- Education route: Program Director, Instructor, Externship Coordinator, Preceptor,
or Program Manager
- Experience route: Direct patient-care supervisor (licensed physician, surgeon, or
RN/circulating OR nurse)
2
,- Human Resources may only verify employment information, not critical skills
CRITICAL SKILLS - FIRST SCRUB (All Five Required)
1. Verify supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure
2. Set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies, equipment, medications, and
solutions
3. Perform counts with the circulator
4. Pass instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure
5. Maintain sterile technique, as measured by recognized breaks in technique
SECTION 1: STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE
Question 1
Which of the following areas of the surgical gown is considered sterile?
A) The entire gown
B) The front of gown from the chest to the waist
C) The sleeves only
D) The back of the gown
3
, Answer: B
Rationale: The sterile area of the surgical gown is the front from the chest to the
waist. The back of the gown is considered non-sterile, as are the axillary regions.
Question 2
When opening a sterile package at the back table, the package should be held:
A) Towards the table
B) Away from the body
C) Over the sterile field
D) At waist level
Answer: B
Rationale: Opening sterile packages away from the body prevents contamination
by keeping the contents from brushing against the sterile gown.
Question 3
The circulator has just poured sterile saline and sterile water onto the sterile field,
but the surgical technologist did not verify. The circulator stated what the fluids
were and that they were acceptable to use. What should the surgical technologist
do?
A) Use the fluids as poured
4
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE OUTLINE
=== START OF EXAM ===
NCCT TECH IN SURGERY – CERTIFIED (TS-C) EXAM
Complete Review Study Guide & Practice Outline | 2025/2026 | Newest Version
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) exam is administered by the National
Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and is recognized by the National
Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
| Detail | Information |
|--|-|
| Exam Name | Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) |
| Administering Body | NCCT |
| Exam Length | 175 questions (150 scored, 25 pretest) |
1
,| Passing Score | 70% |
| Renewal | Every 1 year through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) |
ELIGIBILITY PATHWAYS
Education Pathway
- Graduates of NCCT-approved surgical technology programs
- Must complete 125 cases with 90 as first scrub
- Case mix: 30-50 general surgeries and 75-95 in at least three different specialties
Experience Pathway
- Three years (6,240 hours) of full-time work as a Surgical Technologist within the
past five years
- Must include performance of all critical skills required for a surgical technologist
- Experience must be obtained within the United States or its territories
Verifiers
- Education route: Program Director, Instructor, Externship Coordinator, Preceptor,
or Program Manager
- Experience route: Direct patient-care supervisor (licensed physician, surgeon, or
RN/circulating OR nurse)
2
,- Human Resources may only verify employment information, not critical skills
CRITICAL SKILLS - FIRST SCRUB (All Five Required)
1. Verify supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure
2. Set up the sterile field with instruments, supplies, equipment, medications, and
solutions
3. Perform counts with the circulator
4. Pass instruments and supplies to the surgical team during the procedure
5. Maintain sterile technique, as measured by recognized breaks in technique
SECTION 1: STERILE TECHNIQUE & ASEPTIC PRACTICE
Question 1
Which of the following areas of the surgical gown is considered sterile?
A) The entire gown
B) The front of gown from the chest to the waist
C) The sleeves only
D) The back of the gown
3
, Answer: B
Rationale: The sterile area of the surgical gown is the front from the chest to the
waist. The back of the gown is considered non-sterile, as are the axillary regions.
Question 2
When opening a sterile package at the back table, the package should be held:
A) Towards the table
B) Away from the body
C) Over the sterile field
D) At waist level
Answer: B
Rationale: Opening sterile packages away from the body prevents contamination
by keeping the contents from brushing against the sterile gown.
Question 3
The circulator has just poured sterile saline and sterile water onto the sterile field,
but the surgical technologist did not verify. The circulator stated what the fluids
were and that they were acceptable to use. What should the surgical technologist
do?
A) Use the fluids as poured
4
