Education

• Surgical tech programs typically last between nine and 24 months and award students with a certificate, associate degree or diploma, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Aspiring surgical techs can receive their training at institutions like community colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, universities and the military. As of 2011, there are more than 450 surgical tech training programs accredited by the Commission of Allied Health Education Programs.
  
  

Curriculum

• Surgical tech training programs teach students a curriculum with courses that include microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, professional ethics and medical terminology. Other topics that are covered by surgical tech training programs include patient safety during surgery and surgical procedures. Some of the hands-on skills that students learn include how to sterilize equipment and how to use special equipment such as solutions, drugs and miscellaneous surgical supplies.
  
  

Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist Certification

• The majority of health care employers prefer hiring surgical techs that are certified by the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To become certified, surgical techs must complete one of their accredited training courses and then pass a certification exam. After surgical techs fulfill these requirements, they are awarded the Certified Surgical Technologist designation. To maintain their certification, surgical techs are required to complete 60 hours of continuing education courses every four years. In addition, they are required to retake and pass the certification exam.
  
  

National Center for Competency Testing Certification

• The National Center for Competency Testing Certification is another organization from which surgical techs can receive certification. The three pathways for obtaining certification from the National Center for Competency Testing Certification are completing one of their accredited training programs, completing a two-year on-the-job training program or working for seven years as a surgical tech.
  
  

Salary

• As of 2008, surgical techs in the United States were paid a median salary of $38,740, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Education and certification affect a surgical tech's salary, as do level of job responsibility, hours worked and local cost of living.