Legislative News 

Oregon Surgical Technologists and Students Testify at Oregon Legislative Hearing

Salem, Oregon- March 27, 2023- Oregon Certified Surgical Technologists, Oregon surgical technology program directors, and surgical technology students testified before the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Committee. These Oregon CSTs and students responded to the AST call to action, checked their emails, attended last minute meetings, practiced their testimony, and waiting for hours for their turn. One surgical technology student even cancelled on a birthday dinner to show up. It well worth it, the Chairman of the Committee ended up asking her a very important question at the hearing. The surgical technologists and students were brief, calm, respectful and carried a clear message. Courtesy and brevity (90 seconds!) won the respect of the legislators and taught legislators about surgical technologists role in patient safety and the importance of accredited education. Also, this year, no out-of-state surgical technologists testified, which also helped the cause. Thank you to Rachel Bruce, OR-AST President, CST, Angie Hansen, CST, Sonia Lopez, CST, Leia Amorelli, surgical technology student, and Shayna Bryson, surgical technology student, for testifying. They were attentive, responsible, patient and made sacrifices to help the profession of surgical technology in Oregon. Also, thank you to Ron Kruzel of ARCSTSA for sharing his knowledge of accreditation with the committee. 

Massachusetts Introduces Surgical Assistant Legislation

Boston, MA- January 20, 2023- Massachusetts has introduced surgical assistant legislation in the House and the Senate; HD 951 and SD 1928. Similar legislation was introduced in the 2021-2022 Massachusetts Session. The legislation passed through the House and made it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee before adjournment. The legislation recognizes a current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the National Surgical Assistant Association, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants. It has a grandfathering provision for people with at least one year of experience as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth and who have practiced as a surgical assistant at any time in the twelve months immediately before July 1, 2023, provided the applicant registers with the Board by July 1, 2025.

Rhode Island Introduces Surgical Assistant Legislation

Providence, RI- January 6, 2023- Rhode Island introduces H 5014 to license surgical assistants who hold a current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the National Surgical Assistant Association, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants, or have one year of experience in Rhode Island as a surgical assistant.

Virginia CST Certification Law

Richmond, VA- February 2021 – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law HB2220 (Hayes), which requires surgical technologists who hold themselves out as a “surgical technologist” or “certified surgical technologist” or use any variation of credentials to complete an accredited education program and hold a certified surgical technologist credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Surgical technologists serve as the surgeon's co-pilot and provide surgical instruments and supplies to the surgeon during surgery. They have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile surgical field and ensuring the surgical team adheres to aseptic and sterile technique. During the Covid-19 pandemic, surgical technologists also have been utilized for training other hospital healthcare providers in those patient care procedures. 

 The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) has long been an outspoken advocate of the certification of surgical technologists.

 "Patients undergoing surgeries in healthcare facilities in Virginia will be safer due to new legislation requiring surgical technologists to graduate from an accredited program and maintain certification.  As integral surgical team members, our patients and surgeons depend on us to adhere to the principles of asepsis to decrease the chance of surgical site infections.  We are expected to think on our feet and stay a step ahead of the surgeon by anticipating what is needed before being asked because every minute a patient is in surgery increases the risk for complications associated with anesthesia and blood loss. This legislation is a win for patients across Virginia as it will promote positive patient outcomes during surgery,” said Holly Falcon, CST, FAST, President of AST. 

 “I applaud Representative Hayes for his tireless effort to get this bill passed,” said Josephine M. Colacci, Esq., Director of Government Affairs for AST.  Colacci continued, “Certification of surgical technologists will help drive positive patient outcomes and help to reduce healthcare costs overall.”

Virginia surgical technologists are encouraged to become certified with the Virginia Board of Medicine once enrollment becomes available.

Pennsylvania Governor Signs Patient Safety Bill Into Law

Harrisburg, PA – October 29, 2020 – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law HB81(Kauffman), which requires surgical technologists to complete an accredited education program, pass an accredited surgical technologist exam, and maintain continuing education. Surgical technologists serve as the surgeon's co-pilot and provide surgical instruments and supplies to the surgeon during surgery. They have primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile surgical field and ensuring the surgical team adheres to aseptic and sterile technique. During the Covid-19 pandemic, surgical technologists also have been utilized for training other hospital healthcare providers in those patient care procedures.

Read the complete statement.

Virginia Surgical Assistants Now Licensed in Virginia

Richmond, VA- July 1, 2020- The Virginia legislature passed a licensure law for surgical assistants. The law upgrades the registration into a complete licensure structure governed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. Licensure qualifications are based on certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants. The law also establishes the Advisory Board of Surgical Assisting. View the law here.