Surgical Technologist in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Arizona
To become a Surgical Technologist in Arizona, individuals are not required to hold a state license. However, most employers mandate national certification, typically through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) as a Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C). Certification requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program and passing the respective national examination. Renewal for CST certification is every two years and requires 30 continuing education credits and a renewal fee.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Arizona
| Detail | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Graduation from a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), or completion of a military surgical-technician training program. |
| Exam | Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam (NBSTSA) or Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) exam (NCCT) ($190) |
| Application Fee | $40 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Arizona does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification. Additional requirements for program admission and clinical rotations may include a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, background check, drug screening, immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Hep-B, TDaP, Influenza), current CPR card, and health insurance. Some programs may also require a minimum age (not specified by state, but by program). |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Arizona
The median surgical technologist salary in Arizona is $67,530 per year, which is 7.5% above the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $50,300 |
| 25th | $60,230 |
| 50th (median) | $67,530 |
| 75th | $79,260 |
| 90th (experienced) | $86,790 |
Arizona employs approximately 2,220 surgical technologists.
Surgical Technologist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Surgical Technologists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.48/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Surgical Technologist in Arizona Worth It?
Factors to consider: Arizona's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.