Surgical Technologist in Florida
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for FL
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Florida
To become a Surgical Technologist in Florida, individuals are not required to obtain a state license. However, most employers mandate national certification, typically the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To be eligible for the CST exam, candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program or complete military surgical-technician training. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members, and certification must be renewed every two years with 30 continuing education credits. While Florida does not have state-specific reciprocity, national certifications are widely recognized across the country.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Florida
| Detail | Florida |
|---|---|
| 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 CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, or completion of a military surgical-technician training program. |
| Exam | CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($190) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Florida does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. Most employers require national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) or NCCT (TS-C). Minimum age for CST exam eligibility is not specified, but general requirements for licensure in Florida often include being at least 18 years old. A clean background check is mandatory for licensure in FL, and good moral character must be demonstrated. |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Florida
The median surgical technologist salary in Florida is $61,030 per year, which is 2.9% below the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,200 |
| 25th | $48,740 |
| 50th (median) | $61,030 |
| 75th | $67,210 |
| 90th (experienced) | $77,800 |
Florida employs approximately 8,620 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 Florida Worth It?
Factors to consider: Florida's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.