CSFA Examination

 

Eligibility & Fees

Establishing Eligibility to Test

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements and make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Before testing, individuals must first establish eligibility by submitting the appropriate examination application form along with the correct fees. NBSTSA does not refund processing fees for ineligible candidates.

Once approved, NBSTSA provides candidates with an Authorization to Test number (ATT), and both the phone number and web address to contact the testing agency to schedule the test.

NBSTSA accepts all properly completed applications from qualified applicants regardless of the applicant’s age, sex, race, religion, marital status, disability or national origin.

For a list of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved surgical technology programs go to www.caahep.org or call 727-210-2350. For a list of Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) approved surgical technology programs go to www.abhes.org or call 703-917-9503. 

Eligibility Options:

SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANT ELIGIBILITY OPTIONS
Option	If you are...	and you have...	then you need the following documentation:
1	Current or previously Certified Surgical First Assistant Click here for the CSFA Renewal Application.		Evidence current or previous CSFA certification
2	A graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical assistant program Click here for the CSFA Application.		Evidence of proof of graduation.
3	Current Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Click here for All forms for CST with Currency Candidates.	At least 350 cases and two full years of Surgical First Assistant experience during the last four years	Evidence of Current CST certification. Two Notarized Experience Verification Forms from two surgeons or surgical supervisors AND surgical procedure logs documenting a minimum of 350 procedures and two full years of SFA experience during the last four years. Surgical Procedure Logs MUST be word-processed and include: •Candidate’s Name •Procedure •Date of Procedure •Candidate’s Role (delineating the SFA/ First Assistant role) View Sample CSFA Case Log
Beginning January 1, 2012
4	A Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA) with current certification through the National Surgical Assistants Association (NSAA); or Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C) through the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA)  Click here for All forms for CSA/SA-C Candidates.	50 Continuing Education Credits earned within the two years prior to the date of application for the CSFA Examination	Evidence of 50 Continuing Education Credits.  CE Credits must have been earned within the two years prior to the date of application for the CSFA Examination.  CE Credits must meet criteria as defined by the most current edition of the “AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST and CSFA”.  A copy of your certification document from NSAA or ABSA. Two Experience Verification Forms demonstrating operative case experience as defined by the most current edition of the AST Core Curriculum for Surgical Assisting.  Experience must have been acquired within the two years prior to the date of application for the CSFA examination.  An official transcript showing successful completion of an Associate’s Degree or higher.

 

TESTING FEES Students and First Time Test Takers
Processing Fee	AST Member Fee	All Other Applicants Examination Fee	Total Fee
$60	$130	$230	$190/$290

CSFA Examination Preparation & Content Outline 

The National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists and Surgical First Assistants covers the knowledge and skills common to competent entry-level Surgical Technologists and Surgical First Assistants in varied settings and geographical locations. NBSTSA committee members designed the examinations to assess the skills that comprise the core body of knowledge for all surgical technologists and surgical first assistants. The CST and CSFA examinations examine practical knowledge, and one night of studying will not lead to passing grades.

The following steps can help you prepare:

• Read through the Examination Content Area Outline. All the areas listed may appear on the examination. Mark those areas with which you are not familiar or comfortable. Study those areas, or possibly attend a class or seminar. Remember the CSFA and CST examination is a broad knowledge based examination that does not test in one specific subject area or surgical specialty.

• Read through the reference list (found in the candidate handbook). These references are the primary sources of information used when the examination questions were developed. Use these references to review and refresh your knowledge, particularly in the areas you identified as unfamiliar when you reviewed the Examination Content Area Outline.

• Call and schedule an appointment as soon as you are ready to test to increase the chances of getting the time and date you want. Saturday appointments fill quickly.
• Know the location of the test center, including parking areas, as well as the actual location of the test room. If necessary, call the test center facility to get directions.
• You will need your identification for admission to the test. Prepare them the night before so there are no surprises the day of the examination.

 

CSFA Examination Content Outline

The CSFA Examination Content Outline can be found on pages 10-12 of the Candidate Handbook.

Effective February 1, 2010 candidates must correctly answer 112 questions to pass the CSFA examination.

Reference Materials

Click here to review the current Certified Surgical First Assistant Reference textbook list.

How to Apply

The 2012 CSFA applications are now available for download.

Click here if you are eligible by graduation.

Click here if you are eligible by CST with Experience Verification.

Click here if you are eligible by CSA/SA-C with CE Credits.

CSFA Practice Examinations

Take the Practice Examination, available through the NBSTSA. The cost to take the Practice Examination is $40.00.  These examinations are computer based simulations of the actual CSFA examinations. Candidates will receive an analysis of individual questions and performance.

Examination Development – CSFA Examination

The Examination Review Committee for the Certified Surgical First Assistant examination (CSFA-ERC) has the responsibility within NBSTSA for examination design and development of the national certifying examination for surgical first assistants.

The CSFA-ERC is responsible for reviewing, editing, referencing and categorizing examination questions in accordance with Examination Content Outlines. CSFA-ERC members also participate in the Job Analysis survey.

The CSFA-ERC evaluates the examination for quality and continuity and as well as reviews statistical data on question performance. This assures the relevancy, currency and accuracy of the content of the CSFA examination. Professional psychometricians from Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) assist the CSFA-ERC in this process.

The CSFA-ERC is composed of members representing the major geographical areas of the country, to prevent regional bias on the examination. The committee consists of eight (8) professionals with the following qualifications:

• Six (6) practicing Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFA);
• One (1) surgical first assistant educator from a NBSTSA recognized program;
• One (1) Board Certified Surgeon.