UpTrain
Enroll Now
☰
← Back to Surgical Technologist Program
State Career Guide

Illinois Surgical Technologist Requirements & Career Pathway

Understand Illinois Surgical Technologist requirements, see where NCCT TS-C is recognized by employers, and learn how the UpTrain pathway may fit your career goals.

Illinois•Guide reviewed: October 2026
IL
Illinois
Surgical Technologist Guide
04 · The Bottom Line for Illinois

Illinois allows Surgical Technologist employment without universal state registration — but employer requirements still apply.

Illinois regulates the protected title Registered Surgical Technologist under the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act (225 ILCS 130).

Illinois allows healthcare facilities to employ individuals they determine are competent to assist in surgery, even without state registration. Registration and employment are not necessarily the same thing.

NCCT TS-C is accepted by documented NY employersEducational eligibility must also be verified

For Illinois state registration, the applicable rules identify NBSTSA CST. Certain employers recognize NCCT TS-C for nonregistered positions, subject to education, experience, and facility qualifications.

Read the full details →
04 · What is NCCT TS-C?

A nationally accredited Surgical Technologist certification recognized by some Illinois employers.

The Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) is issued by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The certification program is NCCA-accredited.

125documented surgical cases
90+first-scrub cases
NCCAaccredited certification

Illinois Health + Hospitals expressly names NCCT as an example of an acceptable nationally accredited credentialing organization, and the University of Rochester accepts NCCT Tech in Surgery or NBSTSA CST within its published requirements. Certification acceptance and educational eligibility remain separate questions.

How the UpTrain Pathway Fits
05 · How the UpTrain Pathway Fits

Flexible Surgical Technologist training with an included surgical externship

Primary certification pathway: NCCT TS-C

The UpTrain Surgical Technologist program, offered in partnership with Louisiana State University Shreveport, provides online, self-paced career training in sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, infection control, operating-room procedures, patient preparation and surgical safety.

  • Approximately 4–6 months of online coursework
  • 350 contact hours
  • Mentor support
  • Surgical externship-placement assistance
  • Career-placement support
  • Included and mandatory 125 documented surgical cases for students pursuing NCCT TS-C
  • At least 90 first-scrub cases

Students coordinate with their mentor and placement team after completing the applicable coursework and program requirements. Placement depends on clinical-site participation, acceptance, onboarding requirements, scheduling and suitable surgical procedures. Clinical-site personnel document and verify completed cases. A particular facility, start date, exact distance, schedule or completion timeline is not guaranteed.

$1,188 tuitionStarting at $99/month
Return to Program & Enroll →

NCCT acceptance in Illinois

Some Illinois employers recognize NCCT TS-C, while Illinois state registration identifies NBSTSA CST. Employers independently evaluate education, experience, and clinical qualifications.

Illinois state registration is different

The program also prepares students for AAH Surgical Technologist certification. NCCT TS-C remains the primary pathway emphasized in this guide.

Illinois education requirements

Some Illinois employers recognize NCCT TS-C, while Illinois state registration identifies NBSTSA CST. Employers independently evaluate education, experience, and clinical qualifications.

Surgical Technologist clinical training visual
NCCT TS-C pathwayOnline coursework + included clinical externship + documented surgical cases.
UpTrain / LSUS program: 350 contact hours of online, self-paced coursework; approximately 4–6 months of coursework; mentor support; required surgical externship with 125 documented surgical cases, including at least 90 first-scrub cases; externship-placement and career-placement assistance. Tuition: $1,188; payment plans from $99/month. Clinical placement, certification and employment are not guaranteed.

LSUS is institutionally accredited. This Surgical Technologist certificate program is not described nor represented as a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited associate-degree program. Eligibility for NCCT certification and employment must be confirmed against current requirements.

NBSTSA CST and NCCT TS-C: What’s the Difference?
06 · Certification comparison

NBSTSA CST and NCCT TS-C: What’s the Difference?

Both are NCCA-accredited national Surgical Technologist certifications. Employer acceptance and educational requirements differ.

FeatureNBSTSA CSTNCCT TS-C / UpTrain Pathway
CredentialCertified Surgical TechnologistTech in Surgery – Certified
Certification bodyNBSTSANCCT
NCCA-accredited certificationYesYes
Typical training timelineCommonly 12–24 monthsUpTrain coursework: approx. 4–6 months, plus required surgical cases
Estimated training costVaries widely by institution and programUpTrain: $1,188
Published exam fee$230 AST member / $340 non-memberApprox. $199
Surgical case requirementClinical case requirements through qualifying education125 documented cases, including at least 90 first scrub
Accepted by every employer?NoNo
Illinois employer evidenceRequired by some employersExplicitly accepted by some employers

Credential

NBSTSA CSTCertified Surgical Technologist
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainTech in Surgery – Certified

NCCA accreditation

NBSTSA CSTYes
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainYes

Typical training timeline

NBSTSA CSTCommonly 12–24 months
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainApprox. 4–6 months coursework + cases

Surgical case requirement

NBSTSA CSTThrough qualifying education
NCCT TS-C / UpTrain125 cases, including at least 90 first scrub

Illinois employer evidence

NBSTSA CSTRequired by some employers
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainExplicitly accepted by some employers

Illinois-specific takeaway: the question is not simply whether an employer accepts NCCT. Students must also verify that their educational pathway satisfies Illinois law and the hiring requirements of the specific employer.

Illinois-specific takeaway: Both credentials are NCCA-accredited, but their educational eligibility pathways and state-registration recognition differ. UpTrain prepares students for NCCT TS-C, not NBSTSA CST. Confirm your intended employer accepts both your credential and educational pathway.

What Illinois Employers Are Asking For
07 · Employer evidence

What Illinois Employers Are Asking For

The evidence shows real NCCT TS-C acceptance in Illinois, but acceptance is not universal and education requirements remain important.

UnityPoint Health Trinity

Multiple Illinois locationsReviewed positions specify NBSTSA CST

Moline, Illinois

View employer source ↗

Other Illinois employers

Illinois CityNBSTSA CST specified

Some positions require NBSTSA CST, graduation from a specifically accredited Surgical Technology program, an associate degree, or previous operating-room experience. Review each posting.

Employer requirements and job postings can change. These examples show that NCCT TS-C has documented employer recognition in Illinois, but it is not universally accepted. Students should verify current requirements directly with the employers they intend to pursue.

Employer postings may change or expire. These examples demonstrate credential recognition for certain positions, not guaranteed employment or acceptance of the LSUS educational pathway.

Which Pathway May Be Right for You?
08 · Choose your pathway

Which Pathway May Be Right for You?

Explore UpTrain / NCCT TS-C if you:

  • Prefer online, self-paced coursework
  • Want a lower-cost, non-degree training option
  • Are prepared to complete 125 surgical cases, including at least 90 first-scrub cases
  • Have identified Illinois employers accepting NCCT TS-C and your educational pathway
  • Understand state registration is a separate process

Consider an accredited CST pathway if you:

  • Intend to pursue the Illinois Registered Surgical Technologist title
  • Target employers specifically requiring NBSTSA CST
  • Want CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited Surgical Technology education
  • Prefer an associate-degree or traditional campus-based program
  • Need a pathway accepted by employers with stricter education requirements

If Illinois is your only intended employment location, verify the educational-program requirement with several target employers before enrolling.

Job Titles to Search in Illinois
09 · Job-title search terms

Job Titles to Search in Illinois

Surgical TechnologistSurgical TechnicianCertified Surgical TechnologistOperating Room TechnicianOR Surgical TechnologistScrub TechnicianSurgical Technologist Level IIOperating Room Technologist

Job title alone does not determine eligibility. Review the education, certification, experience and statutory qualification route in every posting.

Job titles alone do not determine eligibility. Review education, certification, experience, and registration requirements in each posting.

Before You Enroll
10 · Before enrolling

Check three things before you enroll

01

Check your target employers

Review certification, education, degree, BLS and operating-room experience requirements. Confirm acceptance of NCCT TS-C and your training pathway.

02

Understand the included NCCT clinical pathway

Our required surgical externship includes 125 documented surgical cases, at least 90 first scrub. Site participation, onboarding, and scheduling affect placement. NCCT determines certification eligibility.

03

Understand Illinois’ registration distinction

Illinois does not require universal registration, but the protected Registered Surgical Technologist title has specific requirements identifying NBSTSA CST.

11 · Next step

Explore your Surgical Technologist pathway

Prepare for the NCCT TS-C pathway through LSU Shreveport with flexible online coursework and required hands-on clinical training. Tuition $1,188; payment plans starting at $99/month. Confirm employer qualifications before enrolling.

Return to Program & Enroll → Read Illinois Requirements
$1,188 tuition · Starting at $99/month
Sources & Important Information
12 · Sources & important information

Important information

This guide provides general educational information and is not legal advice. It does not guarantee certification, a particular clinical placement, a fixed completion timeline or employment. Illinois requirements, certification rules and employer qualifications can change.

Reviewed: October 2026. Confirm current requirements with official sources, NCCT and prospective employers.

Illinois Title Protection Act — 225 ILCS 130 · Illinois Administrative Code Part 1485 · HB1598 status · NCCT TS-C · NBSTSA CST eligibility

Reviewed October 2026. Verify Illinois requirements, legislation, and employer postings before publication. This guide does not guarantee certification, clinical placement, completion timelines, or employment.