CSFA Exam Prep

Exam Preparation

The national certifying examination for surgical first assistants covers the knowledge and skills common to competent entry-level 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 Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA®)  examination examines practical knowledge, and one night of studying will not lead to passing grades.

Each person is different, and preparation for the examination is individual - NBSTSA does not recommend or endorse any particular study class, seminar, published material, or practice examination or app, including our own. The information below is intended to help you prepare. The following resources are an optional tool to prepare for the exam, they are not required, ort endorsed by the Board, and purchase does not imply or guarantee a passing score.

The following steps can help you prepare:

  1. Read through the Examination Content Outline - link at the left of this page. All the areas listed will appear on the examination. As of January 1, 2024,
  2. Passing score - effective 1/1/2024, candidates must correctly answer 99 questions to pass the CSFA examination. There are 175 questions on the test, 150 of which are scored, and 25 of which are being tested for future examinations, and do not count for or against the individual taking the test. 
  3. Mark those areas with which you are not familiar or comfortable. Study those areas, or possibly attend a class or seminar. Remember the CSFA examination is a broad knowledge based examination that does not test in one specific subject area or surgical specialty.
  4. 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 Outline (download in the menu to the left on this page).
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

Study Aids

Study Evaluation

The CSFA Study Evaluation will help give you an idea of what topics to focus your study time on. Click here to fill it out.

Reference Materials

Review the current CSFA reference textbook list.

Practice Exam

Take the CSFA Practice Examination, available through the NBSTSA. These examinations are computer-based simulations of the actual CSFA examinations. Candidates will receive an analysis of individual questions and performance. The cost to take the practice exam is $40. Actual questions from the live examination are not included in these practice examinations, they are intended to help you practice taking the test in the format that you will see on test day, and to show you the types of questions you will see on test day.  

NBSTSA CSFA Benchprep App

NBSTSA has launched a new desktop test preparation app (mobile versions to follow), for individual use and for classroom use. 

Temporarily Offline - Merchant Processing Error - Back Soon

CSFA Programs: we will contact you with information the week of February 19, and you will be able to sign up your entire cohort to access the app until they graduate.