Surgical technology training ยท Jacksonville, FL

Surgical Tech Programs in Jacksonville, FL

Surgical tech programs in Jacksonville and Orange Park include associate degrees at FSCJ, Concorde and Fortis. You can compare published hours, tuition and accreditation below, then ask how each program schedules operating room training and prepares you for the CST exam.

Compare programs How to pay for training
Public degreeFSCJ Surgical Services: 64 credits
Private degree lengthConcorde: 17 months full time
Certification routeNBSTSA CST exam after qualifying accredited training
Hybrid studyFortis: 84 instructional weeks

Compare local surgical technology degrees

These three schools publish campus programs with laboratory work and clinical experience. The check line names the program accreditor and links to its directory, checked October 27, 2026.

3 local programs listed

SchoolProgramCredentialLengthScheduleCost
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FLCAAHEP accredited Surgical Services program (directory checked October 27, 2026)
Limited access with prerequisite coursework. Published deadlines: May 15 for fall and September 15 for spring. School states: "The Surgical Services program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs" upon ARC/STSA recommendation.
School page 		Surgical Services (A.S.)Associate in Science (A.S.)64 creditsAsk school$104.88 per credit hour for Florida residents; lower division tuition and fees page checked October 27, 2026
Concorde Career InstituteJacksonville, FLABHES Surgical Technology program accreditation, ST-401 (checked October 27, 2026)
School states: "The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)". Catalog and program page give different clinical case totals; request the requirements for your cohort.
School page 		Surgical TechnologistAssociate of Applied Science17 months full time; 70 instructional weeks; 68 semester creditsHybrid (blended); catalog lists a February 15, 2027 start$42,500 tuition; $46,237 listed total plus $100 application fee; catalog effective December 3, 2025
Fortis CollegeOrange Park, FLCAAHEP accredited Surgical Technology program (directory checked October 27, 2026)
Campus states: "CAAHEP Accredited Surgical Technology Program". Catalog requires at least 120 surgical cases and taking the CST exam to graduate; passing is not required for graduation. Confirm the next entering cohort.
School page 		Surgical TechnologyAssociate of Science84 instructional weeks; 1,690 contact hours; 105 quarter creditsHybrid; calendar lists a November 2, 2026 surgical technology term start; not all programs start each term$40,655 tuition; $43,457 listed total; Orange Park 2026-2027 catalog

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

Surgical technologist schools near Jacksonville: campus details

Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL

FSCJ's North Campus surgical services degree combines classroom learning, laboratory skills and supervised experience in perioperative care settings.

CAAHEP accredited Surgical Services program (directory checked October 27, 2026)
Program
Surgical Services (A.S.)
Credential
Associate in Science (A.S.)
Length
64 credits
Published cost
$104.88 per credit hour for Florida residents; lower division tuition and fees page checked October 27, 2026
Address
4501 Capper Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone
(904) 646-2300
Program page

Concorde Career Institute Jacksonville, FL

Concorde's Jacksonville program teaches sterile technique and surgical procedures through blended coursework, campus laboratory practice and clinical rotations.

ABHES Surgical Technology program accreditation, ST-401 (checked October 27, 2026)
Program
Surgical Technologist
Credential
Associate of Applied Science
Length
17 months full time; 70 instructional weeks; 68 semester credits
Schedule
Hybrid (blended); catalog lists a February 15, 2027 start
Published cost
$42,500 tuition; $46,237 listed total plus $100 application fee; catalog effective December 3, 2025
Address
7259 Salisbury Road, Suite 120, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone
(904) 515-5518
Program page

Fortis College Orange Park, FL

The Orange Park degree covers surgical specialties and includes an unpaid externship where students practice operating room duties.

CAAHEP accredited Surgical Technology program (directory checked October 27, 2026)
Program
Surgical Technology
Credential
Associate of Science
Length
84 instructional weeks; 1,690 contact hours; 105 quarter credits
Schedule
Hybrid; calendar lists a November 2, 2026 surgical technology term start; not all programs start each term
Published cost
$40,655 tuition; $43,457 listed total; Orange Park 2026-2027 catalog
Address
700 Blanding Blvd., Suite 16, Orange Park, FL 32065
Phone
(904) 269-7086
Program page

Plan your surgical technology training

  1. 1

    Verify the program's accreditation

    Check the exact campus and surgical technology program in the CAAHEP directory or ABHES directory. NBSTSA identifies graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program as the education route to its CST exam.

  2. 2

    Finish the required admission courses

    FSCJ's April 2026 admissions document lists communication, Anatomy and Physiology I, and mathematics prerequisites. Its review requires at least a C in each prerequisite and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

  3. 3

    Prepare for clinical placement

    At FSCJ, accepted students complete drug screening and a fingerprint background check, followed by health and immunization requirements after orientation. Ask each school for its placement checklist and deadlines.

  4. 4

    Complete operating room practice

    Fortis's surgical technology catalog requires an externship and at least 120 surgical cases. Its externship is unpaid, so include those hours when planning work and transportation.

  5. 5

    Apply for the CST exam

    Follow NBSTSA's application instructions after establishing eligibility. Certification requires a separate examination; ask the admissions office which application documents it supplies and whether the first testing fee is included.

Surgical technologist employment and wages locally

In the Jacksonville, FL metro area, BLS May 2025 OEWS data counted 850 surgical technologist jobs (SOC 29-2055). BLS reported a median wage of $30.80 per hour and $64,070 per year. The figures describe the metro's employed workforce across experience levels.

According to the BLS survey definitions, the median divides workers into two equal groups by wage. The employment estimate measures jobs held, rather than open positions. Use those figures when weighing school costs, then ask individual employers about starting rates, call duties, shift hours and benefits. A regional median is not a promised offer.

Surgical technology tuition and help paying

FSCJ's posted lower division rate is $104.88 per credit hour for Florida residents, with books and possible course charges separate. Fortis's 2026-2027 catalog lists $40,655 surgical technology tuition and a $43,457 total. Concorde's costs effective December 3, 2025 show $42,500 tuition and a $46,237 total, plus a $100 application fee. Compare a complete written bill for your start date.

Use FAFSA to seek eligible aid and ask about FSCJ's Pell and other grants. For workforce assistance, CareerSource Northeast Florida assesses WIOA eligibility and approved training; limited funding affects awards. Check GI Bill program eligibility with the VA comparison tool. Ask your workplace about education benefits, including any required service after graduation.

Read the full guide to paying for training

Questions for a surgical technology school

  • Does the accreditor's record cover this campus and this degree?
  • What is the next cohort date and prerequisite deadline?
  • Which courses are online, and which require campus attendance?
  • How many clinical cases and first scrub cases must I complete?
  • Who arranges clinical placements, and how far might I travel?
  • Does the price cover the first NBSTSA CST exam attempt?
  • What happens if I need more time to finish my clinical cases?

How to check a school

Common questions

How long is a surgical technology program near Jacksonville?

Concorde's catalog lists 17 months full time and 70 instructional weeks. Fortis's 2026-2027 degree plan gives 84 instructional weeks. FSCJ publishes 64 credits for Surgical Services. Ask for the entire calendar, including any prerequisites completed before the program sequence and time needed to finish clinical requirements.

Is CST certification the same as a Florida license?

The CST is a national credential administered by NBSTSA. Florida does not appear in the Association of Surgical Technologists' list of states with surgical technologist education, certification or registration laws, checked October 27, 2026. That list does not establish a Florida licensing requirement. Ask employers which education and certification credentials they require for their own surgical technologist positions.

Which programs can prepare me for the NBSTSA CST exam?

NBSTSA's eligibility page names graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program as the education route to the CST exam. FSCJ and Fortis identify CAAHEP program accreditation; Concorde's current Jacksonville page identifies ABHES. Confirm the exact campus record and your eligibility before committing, since NBSTSA makes the final eligibility decision and requires an application and fees.

Can I train online while living in Jacksonville?

Some coursework can be online, but these programs include in-person practice. Concorde's catalog describes blended delivery with online and on-ground courses. Fortis labels its degree hybrid and requires an externship. Ask for the weekly campus schedule and clinical attendance rules before arranging your work shifts. A hybrid label alone does not tell you when clinical hours occur.

What should I check before applying to FSCJ Surgical Services?

Read the April 2, 2026 admissions information. You need the listed prerequisite courses, at least a C in each and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for review. Admission uses a ranking process. After acceptance, screening and health requirements apply. Contact the health sciences office for the next review deadline and cohort schedule before submitting your materials.

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Compare your operating room training options

Request the next cohort calendar, current accreditation record and itemized charges from each campus you can attend.

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