TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF MEDICINE

Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-160. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Surgical Assistants and Certification of Surgical Technologists (amending 18VAC85-160-50, 18VAC85-160-51, 18VAC85-160-60, 18VAC85-160-65; adding 18VAC85-160-52).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2956.12 of the Code Virginia.

Effective Date: September 23, 2026.

Agency Contact: Erin Barrett, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Health Professions, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 750-3912, fax (804) 915-0382, or email erin.barrett@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

Pursuant to Chapters 553 and 561 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly, the Board of Medicine is adding a licensure by endorsement pathway for surgical assistants and surgical technologists.

18VAC85-160-50. Requirements for initial licensure as a surgical assistant.

A. An applicant for initial licensure shall submit a completed application and a fee as prescribed in 18VAC85-160-40 on forms provided by the board.

B. An applicant for initial licensure as a surgical assistant shall provide evidence of:

1. A current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors;

2. Successful completion of a surgical assistant training program during the applicant's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or

3. Practice as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth at any time in the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020.

18VAC85-160-51. Requirements for initial certification as a surgical technologist.

A. An applicant for initial certification as a surgical technologist shall submit a completed application and a fee as prescribed in 18VAC85-160-40 on forms provided by the board.

B. An applicant for initial certification as a surgical technologist shall provide satisfactory evidence of:

1. Successful completion of an accredited surgical technologist training program and a current credential as a certified surgical technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or its successor; or

2. Successful completion of a training program for surgical technology during the applicant's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States.

C. The board will certify a surgical technologist who registers with the board by December 31, 2023, if that surgical technologist provides satisfactory evidence of:

1. Practice as a surgical technologist prior to October 1, 2022; or

2. Attendance of a surgical technologist training program prior to October 1, 2022.

18VAC85-160-52. Licensure and certification by endorsement.

A. An applicant for licensure by endorsement as a surgical assistant shall submit the following:

1. Evidence of a current, active license in a United States jurisdiction or Canada that is in good standing;

2. A completed application and fee;

3. Verification of a professional credential as a surgical assistant or first surgical assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successor; and

4. A current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank.

B. An applicant for certification as a surgical technologist by endorsement shall submit the following:

1. Evidence of a current, active license in a United States jurisdiction or Canada that is in good standing;

2. A completed application and fee;

3. Verification of a professional credential as a certified surgical technologist from an organization recognized by the board; and

4. A current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank.

18VAC85-160-60. Renewal of licensure for a surgical assistant.

A. A surgical assistant who was licensed based on a credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors required to demonstrate evidence of an active national credential recognized by the board as a condition of licensure shall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal. B. A surgical assistant who was licensed based on successful completion of a surgical assistant training program during the person's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States or based on practice as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth at any time in the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020, pursuant to 18VAC85-160-50 B 2 and B 3 shall attest to completion of 38 hours of continuing education recognized by the National Surgical Assistant Association at the time of biennial renewal.

18VAC85-160-65. Renewal of certification for a surgical technologist.

A. A surgical technologist who was certified based on certification as a certified surgical technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or its successor required to demonstrate evidence of an active national credential recognized by the board as a condition of certification shall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal. B. A surgical technologist who was certified based on successful completion of a training program for surgical technology during the person's service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States, or based on practice as a surgical technologist at any time in the six months prior to July 1, 2021 (i) pursuant to 18VAC85-160-51 B 2, (ii) pursuant to § 54.1-2956.12 of the Code of Virginia, or (iii) based on practice prior to October 1, 2022, shall attest to completion of 30 hours of continuing education recognized by the Association of Surgical Technologists at the time of biennial renewal.