The certification cycle is two years; CSTs must complete 30 continuing education (CE) credits during the cycle and submit CE documentation to AST to renew their credential. AST maintains a CE file for members; non-members must submit their CE documentation toward the end of the two-year cycle and pay a $400 non-member CE processing fee.
CE credits can be earned in a variety of ways, including attending healthcare facility/surgery department in-services, attending AST live events such as the Annual National Conference, completing AST online CE articles, attending your AST state assembly meetings, qualified college courses, and attending conferences offered by physician’s organizations such as the American College of Surgeons.
Continuing education is important to all health professions. It demonstrates to patients, peers, other healthcare professionals and the public that you are maintaining and advancing your knowledge to continue providing quality, safe surgical patient care. With the rapid changes and progress in technology and surgical procedure techniques, CSTs should have a high sense of duty toward surgical patients to remain current in their knowledge of surgery and patient care.