Surgical technology training ยท Sacramento, CA

Surgical Tech Programs in Sacramento, CA

Surgical tech programs in Sacramento's region include Carrington College's accredited Rancho Cordova degree program. You can compare its published cost, clinical requirements and training length below, then check how the program connects to the national CST certification exam.

Compare programs How to pay for training
Local accredited optionCarrington College, Rancho Cordova
Program length64 weeks, excluding breaks
Clinical experienceAt least 120 surgical cases at Carrington
CST exam education routeGraduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program

Surgical technology training near Sacramento

This listing covers the local campus whose surgical technology accreditation and current enrollment offering were verified. The check line identifies CAAHEP accreditation; the directory retains the former SJVC campus name, which matches the Rancho Cordova address.

1 local program listed

SchoolProgramCredentialLengthScheduleCost
Carrington CollegeRancho Cordova, CACAAHEP accredited surgical technology program (Initial; directory lists SJVC Rancho Cordova)
CAAHEP directory entry 9208 lists Initial accreditation under San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova at this address; checked October 27, 2026. The former SJVC program URL redirects to Carrington. Catalog lists a September 21, 2026 term start and January 18, 2027 next term; confirm new-student intake dates.
School page 		Surgical TechnologyAssociate of Science in Surgical Technology64 weeks, not including breaksHybrid: campus classes, laboratories and clinical training, with online general education courses$48,660 tuition and specified learning materials; catalog lists $48,720 as the potential estimated cost with Live Scan and drug/health screening (2026 catalog, California rates effective July 8, 2026)

Sacramento campuses first, then nearby cities. Details come from each school's website; costs and start dates change, so confirm with the school.

Surgical technologist school near Sacramento: campus details

Carrington College Rancho Cordova, CA

The Rancho Cordova campus teaches surgical technology through academic study, laboratory practice and clinical participation in operating room procedures.

CAAHEP accredited surgical technology program (Initial; directory lists SJVC Rancho Cordova)
Program
Surgical Technology
Credential
Associate of Science in Surgical Technology
Length
64 weeks, not including breaks
Schedule
Hybrid: campus classes, laboratories and clinical training, with online general education courses
Published cost
$48,660 tuition and specified learning materials; catalog lists $48,720 as the potential estimated cost with Live Scan and drug/health screening (2026 catalog, California rates effective July 8, 2026)
Address
11000 Olson Drive, Ste 100, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone
(916) 713-5252
Program page

Build your surgical technology training plan

  1. 1

    Verify program accreditation first

    Check the specific campus in the CAAHEP directory. NBSTSA bases its graduate eligibility route on CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology education.

  2. 2

    Review the entry requirements

    Carrington's program page lists a high school diploma or GED and an entrance examination. Request the current admissions checklist and ask when required health and screening documents are due.

  3. 3

    Plan for clinical attendance

    The Carrington catalog describes academic and clinical instruction with at least 120 surgical cases. Ask for placement locations, required attendance hours and the process for completing your case record.

  4. 4

    Apply for CST testing

    After establishing eligibility, follow the NBSTSA application process. You can submit the examination application through your NBSTSA practitioner account; mail-in applications are also accepted.

  5. 5

    Check employer credential requirements

    The Association of Surgical Technologists explains that hospitals and surgery centers set personnel credentialing requirements. Check the education and certification requirements in each position you consider, and keep your training and exam records available.

Surgical technologist jobs and Sacramento wages

BLS May 2025 OEWS data report 1,020 surgical technologist jobs (SOC 29-2055) in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area. The median wage was $31.72 per hour and $65,980 per year. These estimates describe the occupation across the metro, including workers with different experience levels.

BLS explains that a median divides workers into two equal groups by pay. The employment figure counts jobs held, rather than advertised vacancies. When you review local positions, compare the required credential, shift hours, on-call duties and benefits alongside pay. Ask employers how they train new graduates and which surgical specialties their teams cover.

Surgical tech tuition and help paying

Carrington's 2026 catalog publishes $48,660 for campus-based Surgical Technology under California rates effective July 8, 2026, including tuition and specified learning materials. It also lists a potential estimated cost of $48,720 with Live Scan and drug/health screening. Request an itemized agreement for your start date and ask about travel to clinical sites.

Start funding discussions before paying a deposit. Carrington's finance page describes Pell Grants for qualifying students; ask the aid office to review your FAFSA. Its military benefits page says selected programs qualify for veterans education benefits, so verify this campus and program. A local Sacramento Works Job Center offers partial training scholarships tied to WIOA eligibility. An employer may also have tuition assistance; request its written benefit terms and payment process.

Read the full guide to paying for training

What to ask a surgical technology school

  • Does current CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation cover this campus and my cohort?
  • What is the next start date accepting new students?
  • How do you arrange clinical placements and track surgical cases?
  • Where could my clinical site be, and what hours must I attend?
  • Which costs are included in the enrollment agreement?
  • Will I qualify for the NBSTSA CST exam when I graduate?
  • Which grants, veterans benefits or workforce funds cover this specific program?

How to check a school

Common questions

Is California licensing required for surgical technologists?

California does not appear on the Association of Surgical Technologists' list of states with surgical technologist education, certification or registration laws. That list is a professional association's overview. Hospitals and surgery centers set their own credential requirements. Check the requirements of employers you want to work for, including whether they require the national CST credential.

How long is the Rancho Cordova program?

Carrington's current catalog lists 64 weeks of instruction, excluding breaks, for the surgical technology degree. The program page describes completion in as few as 15 months. Use the actual cohort calendar when planning work and family commitments. Ask when clinical rotations begin and whether any delay in placement could change your completion date.

What does CST certification require after school?

NBSTSA says the graduate route requires completion of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program, an application and applicable fees. NBSTSA decides eligibility. Its CST certification overview describes the certification examination. Completing a degree is one part of the process; ask your director which graduation documents the testing organization needs and when you should submit them.

Why does the accreditation directory say San Joaquin Valley College?

The CAAHEP directory lists San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova at 11000 Olson Drive, Suite 100. The former SJVC program URL now redirects to Carrington. Carrington names Rancho Cordova among its CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology campuses. Ask the director how your enrollment agreement and graduation records identify the school and program.

Are there public surgical technology programs nearby?

Sierra College in Rocklin publishes a surgical technology certificate, and Cosumnes River College publishes a surgical technology degree. Their programmatic accreditation was not verified in the CAAHEP directory during this review, so they are outside this page's accredited listings. Ask each department about its current accreditation and which national certification exam its graduates can take.

Other programs near Sacramento

HVACElectricianWeldingMedical AssistantDental AssistantCNALVNPhlebotomyCDLCosmetologyBarberEstheticianNail TechFree CNA TrainingPaid CDL Training
Sources (18)

We check these pages when we update this guide. If something has changed, tell us.

Compare your operating room training options

Speak with the program director about accreditation, clinical placement and your full cost before selecting a surgical technology start date.

Compare programs
Compare programs