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Surgical Technology

Two surgical technologists in blue sterile gowns, masks, and caps assist with a procedure in a brightly lit operating room.

Gain the skills to thrive in the fast-paced world of surgery.

The Surgical Technology Certificate Program prepares you to play a critical role on today’s surgical team—where precision, teamwork, and focus make all the difference. As a surgical technologist, you’ll work side by side with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers to ensure every procedure runs safely and smoothly.

Through a dynamic blend of classroom learning, hands-on skills labs, and real-world clinical experience, you’ll gain the expertise to maintain a sterile environment, handle surgical instruments, anticipate the needs of the surgical team, and support patient care at every stage of a procedure.

Whether you’re launching your healthcare career or building on existing experience, this program offers a clear, career-ready pathway into the operating room. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCCT national certification exam and enter the workforce with confidence, competence, and a strong foundation in surgical practice.

Fall 2026 Program Overview

Students will train together in a 13-month cohort that blends classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and real clinical experience through hybrid, asynchronous coursework, in-person learning, and offsite clinicals.

The program begins on August 17, 2026.
Tuition is $13,741.
Interested students must attend the In-Person Admissions Session on May 14, 2026. It will be held at Howard Community College in the Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF) in Room 400 from 3–5 p.m.

Blue icon featuring surgical instruments—a clamp, scalpel, and suture—inside a circle on a blueprint-style background, with the words

Surgical Technology In-Person Admissions Information Session

Discover how you can build a rewarding, hands-on career in healthcare through the 13-month Surgical Technology noncredit program starting this fall.

The application process will be reviewed in detail, and attendance at the in-person admissions information session is mandatory for all interested students. Please RSVP today!

May 14, 2026 | 3–5 p.m. | Howard Community College | RCF 400

Core Coursework & Curriculum

Aseptic Technique and Sterilization
Surgical Procedures
Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Patient Care and Safety
Pharmacology and Anesthesia
Pathology and Procedures I and II
Skills Lab
Internship

Program Prerequisites

To apply for the Surgical Technology Certificate Program, you must:

Be 18 years or older
Possess a high school diploma or GED
Pass a reading assessment with a score of minimum 240; or have a prior degree.

How to Apply

Applications will be posted on this page on May 15, following the Information Session. Completed applications must be submitted by June 5, 2026. All applications will be reviewed, and applicants selected to move forward will be notified by July 17, 2026, with details about the interview and testing process.

Selected applicants must:

Provide proof of U.S. residency or VISA
Undergo a background check
Undergo drug testing
Provide proof of insurance or waiver
Complete Accuplacer Reading Assessment

For program and prerequisite information please email SurgTech@HowardCC.edu. Digital badge eligible (DB).