2025-26 Surgical Technology Requirements and Application

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
- Please contact Michelle Marshall at 715.246.1877 or michelle.marshall@northwoodtech.edu to obtain a Northwood Tech application
- Note: Prior to applying to Northwood Tech, students are also required to submit an application to the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (Eau Claire Office). The contact for the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards is Mackenzie Webster, Apprenticeship Training Representative: Emerging Industries, at mackenzie.webster@dwd.wisconsin.gov, 715.512.0997

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