National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C)

Credential: Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C)  In-Demand resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Renewal Period: 1 year

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), Tech in Surgery (TS-C) is an intermediate-level surgical technologist credential. TS-Cs are allied health professionals responsible for various tasks pre-, intra-, and post- operatively. TS-Cs maintain asepsis during surgery, anticipating the surgeon's needs while remaining attentive to the surgical procedure to ensure a safe environment for the patient. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel; their duties vary depending upon the facility. TS-Cs must meet educational, training, and other eligibility requirements.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 3 years
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 1 year

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

7007 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS  66211

Phone: (800) 875-4404

Fax: (913) 498-1243
Contact Page

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Candidates must be high school graduates or have the equivalent education.

Candidates must meet one of the three Routes of eligibility to take the TS-C (NCCT) exam:

Route 1A: Candidates must be students in a Surgical Technology program from an NCCT (authorized) school, or

Route 1B: Candidates must be graduates from a Surgical Technology program from an NCCT (authorized) school within the past five years.

Route 2:

Candidates must be practitioners with three (3) years of verifiable full-time experience as Surgical Technology practitioners within the past five years.

Route 3:

Candidates must be military veterans (active duty included) who have completed Surgical Technology training or its equivalent during US military service within the past five years.

The Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidates must submit the following–

    Route 1A:

    • Copy of the certification discipline diploma, certificate of completion, or official (signed) transcript noting successful completion and dated within 60 days of graduation; and
    • Credential-specific Critical Skills Competency form; and
    • Completion of case documentation within two (2) years of the test date.
      • Case documentation requires a minimum of 125 surgical cases including a minimum of 50 scrubs in general surgery; a minimum of 20 scrubs in orthopedic surgery; and a minimum of 55 scrubs in at least two of the following areas: 
        • Gynecology
        • Genitourinary
        • Cardiovascular
        • Neurosurgery
        • Obstetrics
        • Thoracic
        • Peripheral Vascular
        • Ophthalmology
        • Otorhinolaryngology
        • Plastic/Reconstructive
        • other (specify)

    Route 1B:

    • Copy of the certification discipline's diploma, certificate of completion, or transcript with an official graduation date; and
    • Completion and submission of the credential-specific Critical Skills Competency form, as applicable.

    Route 2:

    Route 3:

    • Copy of a Joint Services Transcript (JST), Sailor Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS), Coast Guard Institute (CGI), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript, or
    • DD214 indicating successful completion of a formal medical services training program by the United States Armed Forces. Documents must relate to the discipline in which the candidate is testing; and
    • Credential-specific Critical Skills Competency form.

Written Exam

  • Surgical Care
    • Pre-Surgical Care and Preparation
    • Intra-Operative Care
    • Post-Operative Care
  • Additional Duties
    • Administrative and Personnel
    • Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance

RECERTIFICATION

Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C)

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) credential has the following recertification information:

  • NCCT certifications are renewed annually by earning CEUs and paying any required fees, for details visit the NCCT Recertification page.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Equipment Preparers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Equipment Preparers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Surgical Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Surgical Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Surgical Technologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Surgical Technologists
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
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