Become a Certified Surgical Tech, 100% Online 

Yes! Preppy certification programs are offered through Auburn University, our accredited university partner. When you finish your program, you’ll receive a university-issued Certificate of Completion from Auburn OPCE. The curriculum is built to align with the standards of leading certifying bodies like NCCT and NHA, so graduates are eligible to apply for industry-recognized certification exams.

The program is 100% self-paced, so you can move at your own speed. Most students finish in about 3–6 months, but you’ll have up to a full year of access to the program if you want to take your time.

All required course materials are included with your enrollment: eBooks, interactive lessons, videos, quizzes, and assignments.

Have questions about the materials for your specific program? Just reach out. We’re happy to help!

Preppy is the training program. NCCT is the certifying organization that administers an industry-recognized certification exam (like the TS-C). Many students choose Preppy because it gives you a structured, flexible way to learn the fundamentals and prepares you for the certification.

Here’s what sets Preppy apart:

• Prep for multiple certifications, including NCCT’s TS-C and AAH’s NRST.
• A structured, 100% online, self-paced format that fits around work and life
• A Certificate of Completion from Auburn University OPCE, our accredited nonprofit university partner
• Included learning materials with interactive lessons, videos, quizzes, and assignments
• Affordable pricing with flexible payment options
• Job-readiness support to help you take your next step after completing the program
  

No — you don’t need any prior healthcare experience. Preppy’s Surgical Tech program is designed for beginners and guides you step-by-step through the fundamentals, with the curriculum broken into clear, easy-to-follow lessons

Certification exam fees aren’t included. Keeping exam costs separate helps us keep the program as affordable as possible, so that there are no hidden fees and you don’t have to take out student loans.

After you complete the program, you can take advantage of Preppy’s optional job-readiness support. You’ll get help polishing your resume, preparing for interviews, and planning your job search. You may also receive guidance and resources to help you connect with employers who are hiring for surgical tech roles, depending on your location and availability.

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) — Tech in Surgery-Certified (NCCT) Certification Requirements

Any student who successfully completed this program either live on campus or online and are interested in pursuing the NCCT (TS-C) national certification exam must meet the following criteria to achieve certification:

• Successfully meet all the requirements of the program and be issued a Surgical Technology certificate of completion from Auburn University

• Complete a mandatory externship where you are required to complete 125 surgical cases, as verified by the clinical site using NCCT’s Tech in Surgery Critical Skills form. At the start of your program, our placement team will work with you to place you in your mandatory externship during your program.