Surgical Technologist State Requirements
This page provides a comprehensive overview of surgical technologist requirements across all U.S. states and territories, including regulation status, certification expectations, and official salary data. Most states do not directly regulate surgical technologists, some states require certification or formal education, and many employers prefer or require Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credentials even when not mandated by law.
The information presented in this directory is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, legal interpretation, or a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel. Statutes, regulations, and administrative requirements may change, and users are encouraged to verify all information with the appropriate state authorities or regulatory agencies to ensure accuracy and current applicability.
✅ Last updated: May 9th, 2026
📚 Data sources: State statutes & regulations, Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) state law map, National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Surgical Technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Use the interactive map and sortable table below to explore surgical technologist requirements across all U.S. states and territories. Click any state on the map or any column header in the directory to explore details.
📋 What Do These Classification Badges Mean?
| Regulated | State requires accredited education, registration, or certification (CST) to work as a surgical technologist. |
| Title / Registry | State protects the title “surgical technologist” or maintains a registry or facility-level staffing rule without fully licensing the profession. |
| Weak / Borderline | Registration or title framework referencing surgical technologists that does not clearly bar unregistered practice (currently applies to Virginia). |
| Unregulated | No surgical technologist–specific state law; employers set their own hiring standards and may choose whether to require certification. |
🗺️ Interactive Map of State Regulation
Map colors match the classification badges above. Select any state or territory to open its detailed Surgical Technologist requirements page.
Regulated – Education or certification (CST) required to work as a surgical technologist.
Title / registry – Title protection, registry, or facility-level rule without full profession regulation.
Weak / borderline – Registration/title framework that does not clearly bar unregistered practice.
Unregulated – No state law; employers decide whether to require certification.
| State / Territory | Regulation status | Surgical technologist law summary | Notes / citations | Median salary (BLS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Unregulated | No surgical technologist–specific statute; hospitals and surgery centers set their own hiring standards and may require CST certification. | Physician assistant and surgical assistant frameworks exist separately; they do not regulate CST practice. | $48,640 |
| Alaska | Unregulated | No state‑level licensure or registration for surgical technologists; employers determine education and certification expectations. | See Alaska facility and employer policies for CST preferences. | $74,330 |
| Arizona | Unregulated | No dedicated surgical technologist statute; CST requirements are employer‑driven. | Check job postings and facility policies for certification language. | $62,640 |
| Arkansas | Unregulated | No state law governing use of the “surgical technologist” title or minimum credentials. | Facility‑level policies and national certification standards apply. | $47,020 |
| California | Unregulated | No state‑level regulation of surgical technologists; hospitals commonly prefer accredited education and CST or a similar credential. | State regulates certain surgical assistants separately; those laws do not create a CST license. | $77,920 |
| Colorado | Unregulated | Surgical technologists are not licensed or registered by the state; employer requirements vary by facility. | CST credential often preferred in perioperative job postings. | $64,970 |
| Connecticut | Unregulated | No specific license or registry for surgical technologists; hospitals and ASC employers adopt their own education and certification standards. | Other assistant‑level frameworks are regulated; CSTs remain employer‑regulated. | $70,910 |
| Delaware | Unregulated | No dedicated surgical technologist law; facilities determine whether to require certification and formal training. | Review employer policies for CST or equivalent credential expectations. | $61,300 |
| Florida | Unregulated | Surgical technologists are not licensed by the state; hospitals and surgical centers typically specify preferred education and certification. | Florida regulates several surgical assistant roles separately; these are distinct from CST practice. | $56,390 |
| Georgia | Unregulated | No surgical technologist‑specific statute; CST expectations are set by individual employers. | Surgical assistant and physician assistant laws do not create a CST license. | $55,780 |
| Hawaii | Unregulated | No state‑level regulation of surgical technologists; hospitals and health systems define minimum training and certification. | Check local facility job descriptions for CST requirements. | $67,970 |
| Idaho | Title registry | State law references surgical technologists in a title or facility‑level framework but does not create full profession licensure. | See Idaho statute and hospital policies for specific title and staffing language. | $55,650 |
| Illinois | Title registry | State statute establishes a registry or protected title framework referencing surgical technologists. | Verify current registry requirements and employer expectations. | $63,510 |
| Indiana | Regulated | State law requires accredited education, certification, or other defined qualifications to work as a surgical technologist. | See Indiana statute and implementing rules for exact requirements. | $56,640 |
| Iowa | Unregulated | No licensure or registration specific to surgical technologists; facilities decide whether to require CST or equivalent. | Employer policies and national standards guide practice. | Data not available |
| Kansas | Unregulated | Surgical technologists are not licensed by the state; hospitals and surgery centers control credential expectations. | CST often preferred for acute‑care inpatient roles. | $54,130 |
| Kentucky | Unregulated | No surgical technologist licensure; state regulates certain assistant roles, while CST requirements are set by employers. | Review facility HR policies for required certifications. | $53,620 |
| Louisiana | Unregulated | The state licenses surgical assistants separately; there is no direct surgical technologist credential. | Surgical technologist hiring standards are employer‑driven. | $50,440 |
| Maine | Unregulated | No statute regulating surgical technologists; hospitals determine minimum education and credentialing. | Employers may prefer nationally certified technologists. | $58,930 |
| Maryland | Unregulated | Maryland does not license surgical technologists; education and certification requirements are employer‑based. | State regulates certain assistant roles; CSTs remain governed by facility policy. | $65,540 |
| Massachusetts | Regulated | Statute requires specific education and/or certification standards for surgical technologists in applicable facilities. | See Massachusetts law for grandfathering and employer responsibilities. | $65,970 |
| Michigan | Unregulated | No surgical technologist license; hospitals and systems set their own standards for education and CST. | Check employer policies and collective‑bargaining agreements where applicable. | $52,180 |
| Minnesota | Unregulated | No state‑level credential specific to surgical technologists; hospitals may require accredited programs and CST certification. | Employer and system‑level policies govern practice. | $60,340 |
| Mississippi | Unregulated | No surgical technologist statute; CST requirements are determined by hospitals and surgical facilities. | State regulates surgical assistants and related roles under separate provisions. | $45,870 |
| Missouri | Unregulated | Missouri does not license or register surgical technologists; employer policy controls qualifications. | Assistant‑level statutes exist separately and do not create a CST license. | $54,140 |
| Montana | Unregulated | No state law specific to surgical technologists; hospitals may require CST for perioperative practice. | Employer‑driven standards and national certification. | $55,880 |
| Nebraska | Unregulated | Surgical technologists are not a licensed profession; facilities set education and certification expectations. | See hospital HR policies for details. | $54,100 |
| Nevada | Regulated | Nevada law requires specific education and/or certification to practice as a surgical technologist in regulated facilities. | Review Nevada statute and Board guidance for current standards. | $67,620 |
| New Hampshire | Unregulated | No state licensure or registry for surgical technologists; employers decide on CST requirements. | Facility policies and national standards apply. | $60,340 |
| New Jersey | Regulated | State law establishes minimum training and certification requirements for surgical technologists in hospitals and surgical facilities. | See New Jersey statute for grandfathering and continuing education provisions. | $68,380 |
| New Mexico | Unregulated | No dedicated surgical technologist credential; hospitals determine whether CST is required. | Employer‑level policies govern practice. | $52,480 |
| New York | Regulated | Statute requires defined education and credential standards for surgical technologists in certain facilities. | See New York law for education, certification, and exemption details. | $66,140 |
| North Carolina | Unregulated | North Carolina does not license surgical technologists; hiring standards are set by hospitals and surgical centers. | Surgical assistant statutes are separate and do not regulate CST practice. | $52,570 |
| North Dakota | Regulated | North Dakota law creates a regulatory framework for surgical technologists, requiring defined qualifications. | Verify exact statutory education and credentialing criteria. | $54,520 |
| Ohio | Unregulated | Surgical technologists are not licensed by the state; facilities choose whether to require CST or similar credentials. | Employer policies guide hiring standards. | $54,620 |
| Oklahoma | Unregulated | No surgical technologist license or registry; hospitals and surgical centers set training and certification expectations. | Assistant‑level statutes do not establish a CST credential. | $49,830 |
| Oregon | Regulated | Oregon law regulates surgical technologists and may require specific training or certification for practice. | Review Oregon statute and facility obligations. | $67,640 |
| Pennsylvania | Regulated | State law references surgical technologists with defined training and credential expectations. | See Pennsylvania statute and guidance for details. | $57,440 |
| Rhode Island | Regulated | Rhode Island regulates surgical technologists and requires specific qualifications for practice. | Review Rhode Island law for licensure and grandfathering. | $59,020 |
| South Carolina | Regulated | State law requires accredited education and/or certification for surgical technologists in certain facilities. | See South Carolina statute for details. | $54,870 |
| South Dakota | Unregulated | No state‑level certification or licensure for surgical technologists; facilities set credential requirements. | Employer‑driven standards; CST often preferred. | $49,020 |
| Tennessee | Regulated | Tennessee law regulates surgical technologists and may require certification or specific education. | See Tennessee statute for facility and individual obligations. | $52,870 |
| Texas | Regulated | Texas regulates surgical technologists and requires defined qualifications in applicable settings. | Review Texas law for education, certification, and exemptions. | $52,840 |
| Utah | Unregulated | No state‑level regulation of surgical technologists; employers define minimum training and certification requirements. | CST typically preferred in acute‑care environments. | $51,020 |
| Vermont | Unregulated | Vermont does not license surgical technologists; hiring standards are set by facilities. | Employer policies govern education and CST expectations. | $55,020 |
| Virginia | Weak borderline | Virginia has a registration/title framework referencing surgical technologists but does not clearly bar unregistered practice. | See Virginia law and Board interpretation for current implementation. | $57,020 |
| Washington | Unregulated | No surgical technologist licensure; facilities determine whether CST or related credentials are required. | Employer‑driven standards and national certification. | $72,640 |
| West Virginia | Unregulated | West Virginia does not license or register surgical technologists; employer policies govern CST requirements. | Assistant or physician‑extender frameworks do not create a CST license. | $50,120 |
| Wisconsin | Unregulated | Wisconsin has no surgical technologist‑specific statute; hospitals and surgery centers define education and certification expectations. | Assistant regulations exist separately; CST qualifications remain employer‑determined. | $59,010 |
| Wyoming | Unregulated | No state‑level regulation of surgical technologists; facilities may require CST or other credentials. | Employer‑based standards and national certification. | $57,940 |
| District of Columbia | Regulated | DC regulates surgical technologists and requires defined qualifications for practice. | See DC law and regulation for up‑to‑date details. | $68,420 |
| Puerto Rico | Unregulated | No specific Puerto Rico licensure for surgical technologists; facility policies govern requirements. | Employer‑driven standards. | $28,910 |
| Guam | Unregulated | No separate surgical technologist license; employers set education and certification expectations. | Facility policies and job postings guide practice. | Data not available |
| American Samoa | Unregulated | No surgical technologist‑specific licensing; CST requirements are employer‑defined. | Local facility policies govern practice. | Data not available |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Unregulated | No dedicated surgical technologist credential; employers control hiring standards. | Facility policies drive education and certification requirements. | Data not available |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Unregulated | No formal surgical technologist licensure; hospitals and surgery centers set requirements. | Employer‑driven standards. | Data not available |
Data Sources & Citations
State law data: Compiled from official state statutes, the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) State Law Map, and NBSTSA certification requirements.
Salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023) for Surgical Technologists (SOC 29‑2055).
Last updated: May 9th, 2026.
Credit: David Munro, CST — Surgical Technologist.
Primary sources:
- Association of Surgical Technologists. (2025). Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant State Law Map. Retrieved from ast.org/public_policy/map_of_state_laws/
- National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. (2026). CST® Certification. Retrieved from nbstsa.org/cst-certification
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Surgical Technologists. Retrieved from bls.gov/oes/current/oes292055.htm