In order to become a surgical technologist, one must complete a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education. Such programs may be offered at community and junior colleges, at vocational and technical schools, in the military, or at universities; and some structured hospital programs in surgical technology also provide accreditation. The length of the programs vary from nine to 15 months for a diploma or certificate to two years for an associate's degree, which is preferred for an entry level surgical technologist. After completing an accredited program, one will be eligible to take a national certification exam and become a certified surgical technologist.