Texas Surgical Technologist Requirements & Career Pathway

04 · The Bottom Line for Texas

Texas recognizes NCCT TS-C — and also has an education requirement.

Texas does not issue an individual Surgical Technologist license, but covered healthcare facilities must verify employment qualifications under Health and Safety Code Chapter 259.

Under the standard route, Texas generally requires both completion of an accredited Surgical Technology educational program and certification through NCCT, NBSTSA, or another state-approved organization.

NCCT TS-C is recognized in TexasEducation requirements also apply

The UpTrain program is a non-degree certificate program and is not CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited. Students planning to work in Texas should confirm their target employers’ education requirements before enrolling.

Read the full details →

04 · What is NCCT TS-C?

A national certification expressly recognized by Texas law.

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

125documented surgical cases

90+first-scrub cases

NCCAaccredited certification

Texas law specifically names NCCT as a recognized certifying organization, and major Texas employers list TS-C among accepted Surgical Technologist credentials. Certification acceptance and educational eligibility remain separate considerations.

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 training in operating-room procedures, sterile technique, instrumentation, infection control and patient care.

Approximately 4–6 months of online coursework
350 contact hours
Mentor support
Surgical externship-placement assistance
Career-placement support
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. Placement depends on clinical-site participation, acceptance, onboarding requirements, scheduling and available procedures. Clinical-site personnel document and verify successfully completed cases. A particular facility, placement date, distance or completion timeline is not guaranteed.

$1,188 tuitionStarting at $99/month

Return to Program & Enroll →

NCCT recognition in Texas

Texas expressly recognizes NCCT, and several Texas health systems list TS-C in their job requirements.

AAH is secondary

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

Texas education requirement

Recognition of NCCT does not by itself establish that UpTrain’s specific training satisfies Texas’s accredited-program requirement.

Included NCCT clinical pathwayOnline coursework plus the required surgical externship and 125 documented cases.

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

06 · Certification comparison

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

Both certifications are recognized under Texas’s standard statutory route. Their certification eligibility pathways differ, and Texas’s education requirement must be considered separately.

Feature	NBSTSA CST	NCCT TS-C / UpTrain
Credential	Certified Surgical Technologist	Tech in Surgery – Certified
Certification body	NBSTSA	NCCT
NCCA-accredited	Yes	Yes
Typical training timeline	Commonly 12–24 months	UpTrain coursework: approx. 4–6 months, plus required clinical experience
Estimated training cost	Varies by institution and program	UpTrain: $1,188
Published certification exam fee	$230 AST member / $340 non-member	Approx. $199
Surgical case requirement	Clinical requirements through accredited training	125 documented cases, including at least 90 first scrub
Named in Texas law	Yes	Yes
Accepted by every employer?	No	No

Texas-specific consideration: recognition of either certification does not replace the separate education requirement under the standard statutory route. Exam fees should be reconfirmed when applying.

What Texas Employers Are Asking For

07 · Employer evidence

What Texas Employers Are Asking For

These examples demonstrate genuine NCCT TS-C recognition while also showing why education requirements must be checked for each position.

Houston Methodist

Houston, TexasTS-C accepted

A Surgical Technologist posting accepts CST, CSA or TS-C. It also requires an accredited Surgical Technology program or qualifying military training and BLS.

View employer source ↗

Harris Health System

Houston, TexasNCCT or NBSTSA

A Surgical Technologist II posting accepts NCCT or NBSTSA certification and also requires an accredited Surgical Technology educational program and CPR certification.

View employer source ↗

Texas Health Resources

Denton, TexasTS-C accepted

A Certified Surgical Technologist posting recognizes NCCT TS-C or NBSTSA CST alongside stated education and alternative qualification routes.

View employer source ↗

Methodist Hospital Hill Country

Fredericksburg, TexasTS-C accepted

A posting lists NBSTSA CST or NCCT TS-C and requires completion of a Surgical Technologist program, without naming a specific accrediting organization in the advertisement.

View employer source ↗

Employer postings reviewed in September 2026. Listings and qualifications may change. The absence of an accreditation requirement in a job advertisement does not establish an exemption from Texas law.

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 training and a non-degree certificate
Are prepared to complete the mandatory surgical externship and 125 cases
Have identified employers that accept NCCT TS-C
Can confirm whether your education meets the requirements for your intended position
May also consider employment in states with different education requirements

Consider an accredited CST pathway if you:

Intend to pursue Texas positions requiring accredited Surgical Technology education
Want the standard new-student route to NBSTSA CST eligibility
Prefer traditional training with integrated clinical education
Want an associate degree

Students planning to work only in Texas should resolve the accredited-education question before enrolling in any non-accredited Surgical Technology program.

Job Titles to Search in Texas

09 · Job-title search terms

Job Titles to Search in Texas

Surgical TechnologistSurgical TechnicianCertified Surgical TechnologistOperating Room TechnicianScrub TechnicianOR Surgical TechnologistSurgical Technologist I / IICertified Surgical Tech

These are search terms, not interchangeable qualifications. Always review education, certification, experience and other requirements in the specific posting.

Before You Enroll

10 · Before enrolling

Check three things before you enroll

01

Check your target employers

Identify hospitals and surgical facilities where you intend to work. Confirm both accepted certifications and the education requirements for the positions you want.

02

Understand the included NCCT clinical pathway

UpTrain includes the mandatory 125-case externship for students pursuing NCCT TS-C, including at least 90 first-scrub cases. Clinical-site personnel document and verify completed cases.

03

Verify the Texas education requirement

Ask whether your specific Surgical Technology program meets the accredited-education requirement applicable to your intended position. Do not assume a statutory alternative route applies.

11 · Next step

Explore your Surgical Technologist pathway

Review the UpTrain curriculum, included surgical externship, tuition and payment options. If you intend to work in Texas, confirm the education requirements of your target employers before enrolling.

Return to Program & Enroll →Read Texas Requirements

$1,188 tuition · Starting at $99/month

Sources & Important Information

12 · Sources & important information

Official sources

Important information

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

Reviewed: September 2026. Confirm current requirements with official sources, certification organizations and prospective employers.