Requirements for Surgical Tech Programs

Requirements for Surgical Tech Programs (2025): Prereqs, TEAS/HESI, BLS, and Immunizations Explained

Embarking on a career as a Surgical Technologist is a decision to step into the heart of the operating room, becoming an indispensable member of a life-saving team. It’s a profession that demands precision, composure, and a profound dedication to patient care. Before you can don your scrubs and step into that sterile field, however, there is a critical gateway to cross: gaining admission into a accredited surgical technology program.

The application process can seem like a daunting checklist of prerequisites, exams, and certifications. But understanding these requirements is the first, most crucial procedure in your new career.

This definitive 2025 guide will demystify the prerequisites for surgical tech programs. We will break down every component—from academic prerequisites and entrance exams like the TEAS and HESI to essential certifications like BLS and the non-negotiable immunization record. Consider this your pre-operative briefing for a successful application.

The Foundation: Why Accreditation is Your Non-Negotiable First Step

Before you investigate a single prerequisite, you must first answer one vital question: Is the program accredited?

Attending a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), is an absolute necessity. Here’s why:

• Eligibility for Certification: After graduation, you must pass the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). This is the gold-standard credential employers seek. You are only eligible to sit for this exam if you graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program.

• Quality Assurance: Accreditation ensures the program meets rigorous national standards for its curriculum, faculty qualifications, and clinical experience, providing you with the education you need to be competent and confident.

• Employer Preference: Hospitals and surgical centers overwhelmingly prefer, and often require, graduates of accredited programs.

Your First Action Item: Use the CAAHEP Program Search tool to verify the accreditation status of any program you are considering.

Academic Prerequisites: Building Your Educational Base

While specific requirements vary by institution, most accredited surgical tech programs have a common set of academic prerequisites. These are typically college-level courses that must be completed with a minimum grade, often a ‘C’ or higher, before you can even apply.

1. Core Science Courses with Lab Components

These courses are fundamental because they provide the scientific knowledge you will apply daily in the operating room.

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II: This is the most critical prerequisite. You will learn the structure and function of the human body, which is essential for understanding surgical procedures, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and ensuring patient safety.

• Biology (General or Microbiology): A general biology course provides a foundation in cellular processes and life sciences. Microbiology is especially valuable as it delves into the pathogens you will be fighting against to maintain a sterile field and prevent surgical site infections.

• Medical Terminology: This is the language of healthcare. Fluency is non-negotiable for accurately reading patient charts, understanding surgeon preferences, and communicating effectively with the entire OR team.

2. General Education Courses

These courses develop the critical thinking, communication, and reasoning skills vital in high-stakes environments.

• English Composition / Communications: Clear written and verbal communication is paramount for preventing errors and ensuring smooth team dynamics.

• Mathematics (often College Algebra or Statistics): Math skills are needed for calculating dosages, reconciling sponge and needle counts, and understanding statistical outcomes in evidence-based practice.

• Psychology: Provides insight into human behavior, which is crucial for understanding patient anxiety and working effectively within the complex social structure of an operating room.

Pro Tip: Many prospective students complete these prerequisites at a local community college, which can be a more affordable path than taking them directly through the institution offering the surgical tech program. Always confirm with your target program that the credits will transfer.

Standardized Entrance Exams: Demonstrating Your Academic Readiness

Many competitive programs require a standardized entrance exam to objectively assess an applicant’s foundational skills in key academic areas. The two most common exams are the TEAS and the HESI.

1. TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

The TEAS, developed by ATI, is widely used by allied health programs to predict a student’s likelihood of success.

• What it Tests: The TEAS 7 (the current version as of 2025) is a multiple-choice exam that covers four core domains:

  • Reading: (45 min) Key ideas, details, craft, and structure.

  • Mathematics: (57 min) Algebra, numbers, operations, measurement, and data interpretation.

  • Science: (60 min) Human anatomy, physiology, life and physical sciences, and scientific reasoning.

  • English and Language Usage: (37 min) Conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary.

• Scoring: Each section is scored individually, and you receive an overall composite score. Programs set their own minimum score requirements, but competitive scores are often in the “Proficient” (65-91%) or “Advanced” (91%+) ranges.

• Cost & Registration: The fee is approximately $115. You can take it at designated testing centers or through online proctoring.

2. HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment)

The HESI A2 is another common exam, specifically tailored for healthcare professions. Some programs may prefer it.

• What it Tests: The exam is modular. Programs can choose which sections to require. Common sections include:

  • Math: Basic operations, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and dosage calculations.

  • Reading Comprehension: Identifying the main idea, meaning of words in context, and passage comprehension.

  • Vocabulary & General Knowledge: Common terminology used in healthcare.

  • Grammar: Parts of speech, important grammatical rules.

  • Biology & Chemistry: Basic principles (less common than for nursing, but possible).

  • Personality and Learning Styles: These sections are often not scored but used for student advising.

• Scoring: Each section is scored separately, typically on a scale from 0 to 100%. A score of 75% or higher in each required section is a common benchmark.

• Cost & Registration: Fees vary by testing location but are generally comparable to the TEAS.

How to Prepare: Invest in a reputable study guide or online practice test package from the official publishers (ATI for TEAS, Elsevier for HESI). Dedicate several weeks to review, focusing on your weakest subjects.

Health and Safety Mandates: Protecting Yourself and Your Patients

The clinical environment demands proof that you are not a health risk to vulnerable patients. These are mandatory requirements for any student entering a healthcare setting.

1. CPR Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers

This is not a standard CPR course. You must obtain a BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association (AHA). Some programs may accept the American Red Cross equivalent, but the AHA version is the undisputed standard in hospitals.

• What it Covers: This course teaches high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and how to relieve choking in a safe, timely, and effective manner. It also covers team dynamics during resuscitation.

• How to Get It: You can find in-person and blended (online + hands-on) courses offered at local training centers, community colleges, and often through the surgical tech program itself. The cost is typically $60 – $100.

• Timing: Your certification must be current before you start your clinical rotations. It’s best to get it done early.

2. Comprehensive Immunization and Health Record

This is one of the most detailed parts of the application. You will need to provide documented proof of the following. Start gathering these records early, as obtaining old documents can take time.

• COVID-19 Vaccination: Full primary series plus any recommended boosters as per current CDC guidelines.

• Hepatitis B Series: A multi-dose vaccine series. You must provide a titer (a blood test) proving immunity. If you are not immune, you may need to restart the series.

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Two doses or a positive titer for each disease.

• Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses or a positive titer proving immunity.

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): Must be within the last 10 years.

• TB (Tuberculosis) Testing: A two-step PPD skin test or a single blood test (Quantiferon Gold). This is required annually.

• Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Required annually during flu season.

• Physical Examination: A recent physical exam by a healthcare provider confirming you are in good health and capable of meeting the program’s Technical Standards (e.g., ability to stand for long periods, lift a certain weight, have manual dexterity, and clear visual and auditory acuity).

• Comprehensive Background Check and Drug Screening: Mandatory for all students entering a clinical site. Any criminal history may jeopardize your ability to complete the program and obtain state certification/licensure later.

The Complete Application Checklist for 2025

Use this list to ensure you have every component ready for submission:

1. Application Form: Completed in full for the accredited program of your choice.

2. Application Fee: Typically $50 – $100, often non-refundable.

3. Official Transcripts: From high school and every college you have attended.

4. Prerequisite Coursework: Verified on transcripts, meeting the minimum GPA requirement (often 2.5-3.0+).

5. TEAS or HESI A2 Exam Scores: Sent directly from the testing service or included as an official report.

6. BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification: A copy of your current AHA card.

7. Complete Immunization Record: Including all required titers.

8. Physical Examination Form: Signed and dated by a medical provider.

9. Personal Statement or Essay: Explaining your motivation for entering the field.

10. Letters of Recommendation: Often 1-2 from professors, employers, or healthcare professionals.

11. Proof of Health Insurance: (Required by most programs).

12. Signed Technical Standards Form.

Your Pathway to the Operating Room Starts Here

The path to becoming a Surgical Technologist is structured and demanding by design, mirroring the high-stakes environment of the operating room itself. These prerequisites are not arbitrary hurdles; they are carefully curated to ensure that every student who enters a program has the foundational knowledge, professional readiness, and physical health to succeed and, most importantly, to provide safe and effective patient care.

While the checklist is long, each item is manageable with careful planning and persistence. Start early, stay organized, and never hesitate to contact program advisors with questions—they are there to help guide you.

By thoroughly understanding and meticulously preparing for these requirements, you are taking the first, most important step toward a rewarding and respected career at the forefront of modern medicine.