2025-26 Surgical Technology Requirements and Application

Gloved hand picking up surgical instrument

To become an apprentice in the state of Wisconsin, one must first be indentured by the State Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS). To become indentured you must:

  • Contact an employer on your own. Employment is a requirement of entering an apprenticeship.
  • Once you have an employer / sponsor, contact the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards to initiate the application process between you and your employer.

Minimum qualifications required by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards:
All applicants, including applicants eligible for direct entry, must meet the following minimum requirements for each occupation sponsored:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen who is authorized to work in the U.S., as long as they meet the qualifications and requirements for enrollment into a particular program and are not required by law, regulation, or government contract to be a U.S. citizen
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be fully able to perform the work of the occupation without hazard to themselves or others with reasonable accommodations, if needed
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalency
  • Have reliable transportation to the employer, job site, and related instruction

Admission Requirements

  • Complete the Northwood Tech application form

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Confirmation of admission from Northwood Tech Academic Affairs Apprenticeship Office

Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Apprenticeship Application

Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Employer/Sponsor Application

 

Note: To become a Certified Surgical Technologist, students must have a minimum of an associate degree and pass the national certification exam. Only students enrolled in the Surgical Technology apprenticeship program can apply to Northwood Tech’s Surgical Technology associate degree program. To become admitted in this program, see below:  

Associate Degree Surgical Technology Admission Requirements 

  • Complete online application form
  • Confirmation of admission to the Surgical Technology Apprenticeship program from Northwood Tech Academic Affairs Apprenticeship Office
  • Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate
  • Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
  • Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor (academic admission requirements apply)

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Submit Background Check Fee 
  • Have acceptable results based on the Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check and/or other states (if applicable)
  • Student must meet employer health record requirements/policies
  • Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement 
  • Possess current certification of “BLS Basic Life Support” 
  • Participate in a mandatory session scheduled prior to the start of classes

 

2024-25 Surgical Technology Student Handbook

  • Health Sciences Policies
    • HS-i Work-based Learning Terms
    • HS-ii Code of Conduct
    • HS-01 Northwood Tech Mission, Vision, Values, & Tenets
    • HS-02 Rules and Regulations-Student Signature
    • HS-03 Safety Accountability Statement-Student Signature
    • HS-04 Bloodborne Pathogen Risk Statement
    • HS-05 CDC Guidelines and Links
    • HS-06 Standard Precautions Chart
    • HS-07 Exposure Control Procedures (Needle stick)
    • HS-08 Performance-Based Instruction
    • HS-09 Student Responsibilities
    • HS-10 Responsibility of the Learner
    • HS-11 Test-Taking
    • HS-12 Studying Hints
    • HS-13 Important Dispositions for Critical Thinkers
    • HS-14 Good Thinking vs. Poor Thinking
    • HS-15 Computer Information
    • HS-16 Communication Guidelines
    • HS-17 Confidentiality-HIPAA
    • HS-18 Transfer Credit
    • HS-19 Witnessing Legal Documents
    • HS-20 Health Status
    • HS-21 Health Form
    • HS-22 BLS-Medic 1st Aid Requirements
    • HS-23 Course Expectations for Assignments
    • HS-24 Professional Expectations and Dress Code
    • HS-25 Grading Policy
    • HS-26 Improvement Plan
    • HS-27 Academic Appeals Procedures
    • HS-28 Automatic Program Dismissal
    • HS-29 Complaints Concerning Health Sciences Programs
  • SurgTech Program Policies
    • ST-01 2024-25 Required Courses
    • ST-02 Description of Program and Program Goals
    • ST-03 Program Progression
    • ST-04 NBSTSA-AST (CST) Exam
    • ST-05 AST Code of Ethics
    • ST-06 Background Checks
    • ST-07 Academic Requirements
    • ST-08 Attendance Requirements and Absences
    • ST-09 Failure Course Dismissal Policy
    • ST-10 Functional Abilities Categories with Representative Activities

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

students walking on a trail by campus

Get the Northwood Tech experience

Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.

Visit Campus

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.