Washington Surgical Technologist Requirements

Overview

Washington regulates surgical technologists through Chapter 18.215 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and implementing rules in Chapter 246‑939 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).^[1][2] The law requires registration for anyone representing themselves as a surgical technologist and places registrants under the Uniform Disciplinary Act in chapter 18.130 RCW.^[1]

RCW 18.215.005 states that registration of surgical technologists is in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare.^[1] RCW 18.215.020 provides that no person may represent themselves as a surgical technologist by title or description without being registered by the Department of Health under this chapter.^[1]

WAC 246‑939 explains who must register and how to apply.^[2] The rules clarify that anyone who represents themselves as a surgical technologist in a surgical setting and performs delegated perioperative tasks must hold a valid registration from the Washington State Department of Health.^[2]

State Classification

Washington is a registration‑required state for surgical technologists.^[1][2] Title‑protection language means that individuals may not use the title “surgical technologist” or similar descriptions of their role without state registration.^[1]

National association overviews list Washington among the states with a separate surgical technologist credential, rather than relying only on employer policies.^[3] Washington’s registration model is less intensive than full licensure but still provides state oversight, standards, and disciplinary authority.^[1][3]

Statutory Requirements

Chapter 18.215 RCW contains Washington’s core surgical technologist provisions.^[1] The chapter includes sections on registration of surgical technologists, definitions, registration requirements, construction and limitations of the chapter, required applicant information, fees, and renewal authority.^[1]

RCW 18.215.020, titled “Registration,” states that no person may represent themselves as a surgical technologist by title or description without being registered by the Department of Health.^[1] RCW 18.215.050 requires applicants to submit identifying information and other data needed to determine whether grounds exist for denial of registration under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.^[1]

RCW 18.215.060 authorizes the Department to register qualified applicants and collect fees established in rule, and RCW 18.215.070 directs the Department to establish renewal requirements and fees.^[1] Together with chapter 18.130 RCW, these sections give the Department authority to issue, renew, and discipline surgical technologist registrations.^[1]

Employer Standards in Washington

Washington employers rely on registration, accredited education, and operating‑room experience when hiring surgical technologists.^[2][3] While state law does not mandate a specific degree or national credential, hospital job descriptions commonly expect completion of a formal surgical technology program and recent perioperative clinical experience.^[3]

Major health systems in Washington often state that national certification is required or preferred for full‑time surgical technologist roles, in addition to current state registration.^[3] Facilities layer their own onboarding, competencies, and periodic skills validation on top of state requirements to meet accreditation and patient‑safety standards.^[2][3]

Certification Requirements

RCW 18.215 focuses on registration and does not require national certification by statute.^[1] Registration does not require additional education beyond the general credentialing framework, as WAC 246‑939‑020 notes that registration “does not require additional education.”^[2]

National professional guidance, however, emphasizes graduation from Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)‑accredited surgical technology programs and national certification—such as the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) credential from NBSTSA or the TS‑C credential from NCCT—as the industry standard.^[3][4] Many Washington employers reflect this expectation by requiring or strongly preferring nationally certified applicants for full‑time surgical technologist positions.^[3]

NBSTSA and NCCT manage exam eligibility and recertification requirements, including continuing‑education credits or periodic examinations.^[4] Washington surgical technologists who maintain national certification demonstrate ongoing competence that complements their state registration status.^[3][4]

Educational programs in Washington align their curricula with national curriculum standards and certification exam blueprints so that graduates are prepared to seek both state registration and national certification.^[3][4]

Registration / Licensure

Washington requires individuals to register with the Department of Health if they represent themselves as surgical technologists by title or description.^[1][2] WAC 246‑939‑020 explains how to obtain a registration application, return a completed application to the Department, and comply with general credentialing rules in chapter 246‑12 WAC.^[2]

Under WAC 246‑939‑030, registration is required for any person who represents themselves as a surgical technologist and performs tasks in a surgical setting under the delegation of a licensed health‑care practitioner and within a sterile field.^[2] Applicants must pay nonrefundable fees and meet all general credential requirements for health‑care professions in Washington.^[2]

Once registered, surgical technologists are subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act, which authorizes the Department to investigate complaints and impose sanctions when necessary to protect the public.^[1][2]

Renewal Requirements

RCW 18.215.070 directs the Department of Health to establish renewal requirements and fees by rule.^[1] WAC 246‑939‑990 specifies that surgical technologist registration must be renewed every year on the registrant’s birthday and sets the fees for application, renewal, late renewal, and related services.^[2]

Under these rules, registered surgical technologists must keep their Washington credential active by renewing on schedule and paying renewal fees.^[2] They must also avoid disqualifying conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, which can affect renewal or lead to discipline.^[1][2]

Washington statutes do not prescribe a surgical‑technologist‑specific continuing‑education hour requirement, but national certifying bodies do.^[4] Many Washington employers use national certification renewal standards and facility in‑service training as practical continuing‑education benchmarks for full‑time and per‑diem technologists.^[3][4]

Background Checks

Chapter 18.215 RCW does not create a separate background‑check system solely for surgical technologists.^[1] Instead, the Department of Health applies its general credentialing and disciplinary authority, which allows consideration of criminal history and other conduct when issuing or renewing health‑profession credentials.^[1][2]

Hospitals and surgery centers in Washington typically require criminal‑history checks, drug screening, immunization verification, and reference checks before hiring surgical technologists into full‑time, per‑diem, or traveler roles.^[3] These employer‑driven screenings support patient safety and compliance, and they operate alongside state registration and disciplinary systems rather than as a separate state‑run ST background‑check file.^[1][2][3]

Scope of Practice

RCW 18.215.010 defines a “surgical technologist” as a person, regardless of title, who is supervised in the surgical setting under the delegation of a health‑care practitioner and who functions within a sterile field.^[1] WAC 246‑939‑030 describes surgical technologists as individuals performing tasks in the surgical setting under such delegation.^[2]

WAC 246‑939‑050 lists tasks a surgical technologist is not allowed to perform, including activities that constitute the practice of medicine under RCW 18.71.011 such as prescribing or administering medications and penetrating or severing tissue—including suturing and making incisions—and dispensing medications.^[2] These prohibitions confirm that surgical technologists assist but do not perform independent medical acts.^[1][2]

National practice descriptions used by BLS and professional associations list typical duties such as preparing operating rooms, arranging instruments and sterile supplies, maintaining sterile fields, passing instruments and sutures, handling specimens, managing equipment, and helping with sponge and instrument counts under supervision.^[4] Washington surgical technologists do not diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, or independently determine treatment plans; those responsibilities remain with physicians and other licensed prescribers under separate Washington statutes.^[1][2][4]

Governing Agency

The Washington State Department of Health is the governing agency for surgical technologist registration.^[1][2] It administers applications, renewals, and discipline under RCW 18.215 and WAC 246‑939 and applies the Uniform Disciplinary Act to registered surgical technologists.^[1][2]

The Washington Legislature enacts and amends statutory provisions in Chapter 18.215 RCW, while the Department adopts and updates administrative rules in WAC 246‑939.^[1][2] National certifying bodies and the Association of Surgical Technologists provide external certification and continuing‑education frameworks that Washington employers and educators frequently incorporate into their standards.^[3][4]

Statute Citations

• Chapter 18.215 RCW – Surgical Technologists: Washington statutes establishing registration, title protection, required applicant information, fees, and renewal authority for surgical technologists, and applying the Uniform Disciplinary Act.^[1] https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.215
• WAC 246‑939 – Surgical Technologists: Washington Administrative Code chapter implementing RCW 18.215, defining who must register, how to apply, prohibited tasks, and the fee and renewal cycle for surgical technologists.^[2] Key sections include WAC 246‑939‑020 (registration process), WAC 246‑939‑030 (who must register), WAC 246‑939‑050 (tasks not allowed), and WAC 246‑939‑990 (fees and renewal cycle). https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-246-939-020

Washington Surgical Technologist Salary & Job Outlook

National BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Surgical Technologists (SOC 29‑2055) report a May 2023 national annual mean wage of $62,250 and a mean hourly wage of $29.93 for full‑time wage and salary workers.^[4] The same tables show a national median annual wage of about $59,520.^[4]

BLS state tables for Washington report a significantly higher annual mean wage for Surgical Technologists (SOC 29‑2055) than the national average, with Washington means in the low‑ to mid‑$70,000 range and median wages in the low‑$70,000s for full‑time roles.^[3][4] Higher percentile wages reflect experienced technologists and those working in large hospital systems and metropolitan areas such as Seattle‑Tacoma‑Bellevue.^[4]

Washington’s surgical technologist wages rank among the highest in the country, consistent with the state’s higher cost of living and strong hospital and ambulatory‑surgery markets.^[4] Employment is concentrated in urban centers like Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Vancouver, with additional roles in regional and rural hospitals and surgery centers.^[3][4]

The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes about 5 percent projected national employment growth for surgical technologists between 2024 and 2034, faster than average for all occupations.^[4] Washington’s combination of high wages, large health‑care systems, and a registration requirement suggests continued strong demand for well‑trained, registered, and nationally certified surgical technologists in both full‑time and per‑diem positions.^[3][4]

Summary

Washington requires surgical technologists who use that title to register with the Department of Health under Chapter 18.215 RCW, comply with WAC 246‑939 rules, and work under delegation in the surgical setting without performing independent medical acts.^[1][2] Aspiring Washington surgical technologists should complete an accredited surgical technology program, pursue national certification such as CST®, obtain and maintain Washington registration, and follow employer competency and continuing‑education policies to qualify for high‑wage operating‑room roles in a strong state job market.^[3][4]

References

• [1] Revised Code of Washington. “Chapter 18.215 RCW – Surgical Technologists.” Statutory chapter defining registration of surgical technologists, title protection, required applicant information, fee and renewal authority, and application of the Uniform Disciplinary Act. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.215^{[web:1209][web:1210]}
• [2] Washington Administrative Code. “Chapter 246‑939 WAC – Surgical Technologists,” including WAC 246‑939‑020 (registration process), WAC 246‑939‑030 (who must register), WAC 246‑939‑050 (tasks not allowed), and WAC 246‑939‑990 (fees and renewal cycle). https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-246-939-020^{[web:1214][web:1216][web:1217]}
• [3] Washington State Department of Health. Surgical technologist credentialing and profession‑overview materials – explain that Washington requires registration for individuals using the surgical technologist title and outline general credentialing and disciplinary frameworks. https://doh.wa.gov^[web:1209]
• [4] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Surgical Technologists (29‑2055)” – national May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics table and Washington state wage estimates providing national mean and median wages, Washington wage levels, and projected national job growth for surgical technologists. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes292055.htm and Washington state tables. ^{[web:1118][web:1215]}