Surgical Technology Admissions

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The Surgical Technology program at RCC is limited enrollment, meaning admission is not guaranteed. Minimum admission requirements must first be completed in order to be considered for the program. Click on the sections below to learn more.

Surgical Technology

Fall 2025 Admissions Information

Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 4:00pm

Applications for Surgical Technology program will open December 13, 2024

Admissions Requirements

Surgical Technology Minimum Requirements

  • Candidate has completed  ENG 111  and  MED 120  with a grade of “C” or higher (may be enrolled in 2025 summer semester).
  • Candidate has a 2.5 GPA or higher from all surgical technology general education courses. GPA calculatio n includes any of the following completed courses:  BIO 163 BIO 175 MED 120 PSY 150 ENG 111 ENG 112 CIS 110, and a humanities/fine arts elective.
  • Candidate is in Satisfactory Academic Standing with Rockingham Community College (RCC cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher). 
  • Essay: One page, double-spaced typed statement responding to the following questions: What makes you a strong candidate for the RCC Surgical Technology program? What is the biggest challenge you will face in the program?

Important Information

It is your responsibility to read this page and the information it contains in its entirety. You must meet all requirements to be considered for acceptance; however, completion of these tasks does not guarantee acceptance to the Fall 2025 entering class.

Application Steps

  • Read the Admissions Information completely and complete the Minimum Admissions Requirements.
  • Attend a Surgical Technology Information Session (optional, but strongly encouraged).
  • Complete the  Surgical Technology Candidate Review Form  online and upload required documentation.
  • Monitor your email for your Candidate Review Form status. Candidate Review Forms will be processed as soon as possible upon submission. You will be notified via email whether your form has been successfully submitted to the Surgical Technology Department or if a follow-up meeting with RCC Admissions is required prior to processing your form:
    • Submitted Candidate Review Forms that are complete and meet all minimum requirements will be processed and forwarded to the Surgical Technology Department for review. No further action from the student is required in this case.
    • Candidates missing requirements or that need additional verification will be required to schedule a follow-up appointment. Candidates will receive the link to schedule an appointment by email. This appointment is required before the application will be processed and forwarded to the Surgical Technology Department for review.
  • Schedule an appointment with the Surgical Technology Program Director, Crystal Talley (talleyc@rockinghamcc.edu).

The deadline to complete the application process is Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 4:00pm.

Candidate Review and Selection

Review procedures use a selection system based on the awarding of points for several category areas. Applicants with the highest number of points who also meet all admissions criteria are reviewed first.

Students admitted to the Surgical Technology program will attend a mandatory Surgical Technology orientation during the summer 2025 semester.

Information Sessions

Information Session Details

Information sessions are optional, but highly encouraged. Sessions begin at the time listed below and will last approximately one hour. Please log into the Zoom session at least 10 minutes before the start time.

The Zoom link will be sent in an email confirmation upon registration for a session.

2024-2025 Surgical Technology Information Session Dates

To sign up for an online information session, simply pick one of the options below.

GPA Calculator

Surgical Technology candidate GPA is calculated using completed general education courses including:

BIO 163 BIO 175 CIS 110 ENG 111 ENG 112 PSY 150 MED 120, and a humanities elective.

Use the following link to calculate your application GPA:

RCC Surgical Technology GPA Calculator

Program Information

Please review the  Credit Programs Catalog  and the  2023-2024 Surgical Technology Student Handbook  for more information on policies and procedures for this program and for Rockingham Community College.

The  Surgical Technology Curriculum outline  may be found in the RCC Catalog. (Outline is subject to change.)

Please review the  Surgical Technology Performance Standards. Submitting a Surgical Technology Candidate Review form indicates your understanding of these standards.

  • 2023 CST Exam Pass Rate: 60%
  • 2022 CST Exam Pass Rate: 67%
  • 2021 CST Exam Pass Rate: 64%
  • 2020 CST Exam Pass Rate: 58%
  • 2019 CST Exam Pass Rate: 50%

Program Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
www.caahep.org
717-210-2350
mail@caahep.org

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting 
6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite 210
Littleton, CO 80120 
www.arcstsa.org
303-694-9262 

Clinical Compliance Policy

The Surgical Technology Program provides learning opportunities for students in an array of clinical learning environments. To comply with program policies, state and local regulations for healthcare providers, and in the interest of your own personal safety, the safety of your patients, and the potential liability to both the college and clinical agency, there are significant compliance requirements that must be met in order to enter the clinical area.  

Applicants are expected to review the  Compliance Policy for Clinical Placement  prior to application to the program.

Address

Rockingham Community College
PO Box 38
215 Wrenn Memorial Rd.
Wentworth, NC 27375

Hours

Monday to Thursday:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Contact

336-342-4261
336-349-9986 (fax)
info@rockinghamcc.edu