Medical
NBSTSA CSFACertified Surgical First Assistant
The Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for experienced surgical professionals who assist the surgeon intraoperatively — exposing the operative site, providing hemostasis, and closing.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the NBSTSA CSFA exam.
- Passing score
- 98 / 150 scored questions (≈65%)
- Format & length
- 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored + 25 pilot) · 4 hours
- Voucher cost
- $190 USD AST members / $290 non-members
- Prerequisites
- One of: graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical first assisting program; current CST credential + 350 documented cases; military first assistant training; or licensed PA/RNFA with documented case experience
- Validity
- 4 years (60 CE credits submitted through AST; $40 renewal fee)
Exam facts sourced from the official NBSTSA certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the NBSTSA CSFA exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official NBSTSA CSFA exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Perioperative Care (preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative)
- Ancillary Duties (administrative, equipment, sterilization)
- Advanced Sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology)
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Experienced CSTs, military-trained first assistants, and other licensed surgical professionals pursuing the formal first-assistant credential to expand their scope and earnings.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
Surgical first assistants who hold the CSFA command meaningfully higher pay than non-credentialed assistants and unlock first-assist roles in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that require formal certification for credentialing and insurance reimbursement. The CSFA is the most recognized non-PA/non-RNFA first-assistant credential.
Sample question
What a NBSTSA CSFA question looks like.
A certified surgical first assistant (CSFA) is preparing to participate in a right hemicolectomy. Before the surgeon makes the initial incision, the circulating nurse initiates the surgical time-out. The CSFA notices that the consent form specifies 'left hemicolectomy.' Which action should the CSFA take?
See the answer & explanation
Correct: B. Speak up immediately to halt the procedure and reconcile the discrepancy before proceeding
Why: The surgical time-out is specifically designed to catch site, side, and procedure discrepancies before incision; every team member—including the CSFA—has both the authority and professional obligation to halt the procedure when a consent mismatch is identified. Proceeding despite a documented discrepancy (option C) violates patient safety standards and exposes the team to legal liability. Deferring to the surgeon's site mark alone (option A) is insufficient because the legal consent document controls the authorized procedure. Post-procedure notification (option D) is far too late to protect the patient from a wrong-site event.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
64 questions covering every objective on the official NBSTSA CSFA exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking NBSTSA CSFA unlocks every other Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about NBSTSA CSFA
What is the NBSTSA CSFA exam?
The Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) exam is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for experienced surgical professionals who assist the surgeon intraoperatively — exposing the operative site, providing hemostasis, and closing.
How many questions are on the NBSTSA CSFA exam, and how long is it?
175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored + 25 pilot) · 4 hours
What is the passing score for the NBSTSA CSFA exam?
98 / 150 scored questions (≈65%)
How much does the NBSTSA CSFA exam cost?
$190 USD AST members / $290 non-members
Are there prerequisites for the NBSTSA CSFA exam?
One of: graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited surgical first assisting program; current CST credential + 350 documented cases; military first assistant training; or licensed PA/RNFA with documented case experience
How long is the NBSTSA CSFA certification valid?
4 years (60 CE credits submitted through AST; $40 renewal fee)
How many questions does the NBSTSA CSFA bank have?
64 questions, organized into 3 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the NBSTSA CSFA content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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