Surgical Technologist in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Georgia
To become a Surgical Technologist in Georgia, while there is no state-level licensing, most employers require national certification from either the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Key steps involve completing an accredited surgical technology program and passing a national certification exam, such as the CST Exam administered by the NBSTSA. Certification typically needs to be renewed every two years with continuing education.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Georgia
| Detail | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES (for CST) or an NCCT-authorized school or 3 years of experience (for TS-C) |
| Exam | CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($290) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Georgia does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from either the NBSTSA (CST) or the NCCT (TS-C). Minimum age of 18 and a clean background check are generally required by employers. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. CST renewal is every two years with 30 CE credits and a $40 fee. TS-C renewal is annual with 14 CE credits and a $77 fee. |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Georgia
The median surgical technologist salary in Georgia is $60,880 per year, which is 3.1% below the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $43,360 |
| 25th | $50,060 |
| 50th (median) | $60,880 |
| 75th | $68,980 |
| 90th (experienced) | $82,210 |
Georgia employs approximately 4,100 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 Georgia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Georgia's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.