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.

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.

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 NBSTSA or NCCSA 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.

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 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, shall attest to completion of 38 hours of continuing education recognized by the National Surgical Assistant Association at the time of biennial renewal. A surgical assistant who was 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. Surgical assistants who were licensed pursuant to subsections B(2) and B(3) of 18VAC85-160-50 shall attest to completion of 38 hours of continuing education recognized by the National Surgical Assistant Association at the time of renewal.

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 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, shall attest to completion of 30 hours of continuing education recognized by the Association of Surgical Technologists at the time of biennial renewal. A surgical technologist who was 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. Surgical technologists who were certified (i) pursuant to subsection B(2) of 18VAC85-160-51, (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 renewal.