How to become a surgical technologist in Texas
Surgical technologists prepare the operating room, pass instruments and keep the sterile field during surgery. Texas programs are certificates or associate degrees of about one to two years and lead to the CST exam.
Step 1: Finish an accredited program
Texas has 34 accredited surgical technology programs: 33 associate degrees, 1 other program. The median program runs about 24 months. Of the 6 that publish a total cost, prices run from $395 (Howard College, San Angelo) to $5,940 (Dallas College, El Centro). 2
Highest reported CST exam rates among larger programs: Blinn College, RELLIS (100%), El Paso Community College (100%) and Houston City College (100%).
Compare every Texas surgical technology program, or by area: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Sherman-Denison, Tyler-Longview, Fort Worth.
Step 2: Pass the CST exam
The median Texas program reports a 92.5% rate (20 programs reporting), but results range from 62.0% to 100%. Graduates who passed the CST certification exam, divided by graduates who took it, as the program reports it to ARC/STSA. Every graduate of an accredited program must sit for the exam. ARC/STSA expects at least 70.0%: the 70% CST pass rate threshold ARC/STSA sets for accredited programs.
Step 3: Get credentialed
Texas has no state license or registration for surgical technologists. Under Health and Safety Code Chapter 259, a licensed or state-run health care facility may only employ someone to practice surgical technology who completed an accredited program and holds current certification from the NBSTSA, the National Center for Competency Testing, or another approved program (with exceptions for military training, pre-Sept 2009 employment, federal service, and documented hiring shortages).
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| Graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program to be eligible for the CST exam.3 | Not published |
| Apply to NBSTSA and pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.4 | $340 |
| Start work: a new graduate may be employed for up to 180 days after graduation, then must show the employer proof of certification.5 | Not published |
| Keep certification current; certified technologists must complete the CE their certifying body requires, and others practicing under an exception need 30 hours every two years.6 | Not published |
Typical fees to start working: $340. Counts the CST exam at the non-member price ($340); members of the Association of Surgical Technologists pay $230. There is no state fee. NBSTSA CST certification runs on a two-year cycle requiring 30 CE credits (4 live) and a $40 renewal fee; Texas law requires certified technologists to keep that certification current.
What surgical technologists earn in Texas
The Texas median is $65,220 a year. 1 Pay is highest around Dallas ($79,990), Austin ($73,810), Houston ($71,050) and lowest around Corpus Christi ($50,710) and San Antonio ($46,820). At the median program cost, setting aside 10% of the Texas median wage pays the program back in about 0.4 years.
Sources and dates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Surgical Technologists (29-2055), May 2025 estimates.
- Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (programs accredited by CAAHEP) (ARC/STSA), checked Nov. 2026.
- NBSTSA CST Eligibility, checked Nov 2026.
- NBSTSA 2025 CST Examination Application, 2025 application form, still the posted version when checked Nov 2026.
- Texas Legislature, HB 643 (81R) enrolled text adding Health and Safety Code Chapter 259, Enacted 2009; current statute page could not be loaded.
- Texas Legislature, SB 1239 (86R) enrolled text amending Sec. 259.002, Effective Sept 1, 2019.
Every number was checked against its source on Nov. 4, 2026. Spot an error? Report it. Program Outcomes is independent and not affiliated with any school or ARC/STSA. Our independence policy