Surgical Technologist in Colorado
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Colorado
To work as a Surgical Technologist in Colorado, individuals must register with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations. While the state does not mandate specific education or national certification for registration, many employers recognize national certifications like the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or NCCT Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C), which typically require graduation from an accredited program. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is a prerequisite for registration, and registrations must be renewed annually.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Colorado
| Detail | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Not mandated by the state for registration, but national certification (CST or TS-C) is recognized by employers and typically requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. |
| Exam | National certification is not required by the state for registration. The NBSTSA CST exam and NCCT TS-C exam are recognized national certifications. |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Colorado requires registration with DORA, not a license or certification. Performing surgical technology duties without registration is a class 2 misdemeanor. Registration expires annually on March 31st. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required prior to registration. National certification (CST or TS-C) is not required by the state for registration, but is recognized by employers. NBSTSA CST certification requires 60 CE credits per 4-year cycle for maintenance. |
Source: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations
Surgical Technologist Salary in Colorado
The median surgical technologist salary in Colorado is $65,690 per year, which is 4.6% above the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,500 |
| 25th | $59,460 |
| 50th (median) | $65,690 |
| 75th | $79,220 |
| 90th (experienced) | $84,130 |
Colorado employs approximately 2,310 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 Colorado Worth It?
Factors to consider: Colorado's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.