Surgical Technologist in Iowa
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IA
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Iowa
To become a Surgical Technologist in Iowa, while there is no state license required, most employers mandate national certification. Aspiring surgical technologists should complete 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). Graduates are then eligible to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) exam from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). A new bill (HF77) in Iowa, effective July 1, 2026, will require 15 hours of annual continuing education for those practicing surgical technology.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Iowa
| Detail | Iowa |
|---|---|
| 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 technology program, or equivalent experience prior to July 1, 2025. |
| Exam | CST exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C exam (NCCT) ($190) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Iowa does not have state-level licensing for Surgical Technologists, but a new bill (HF77) effective July 1, 2026, will require 15 hours of annual continuing education. Most employers require national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) or NCCT (TS-C). |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Iowa
The median surgical technologist salary in Iowa is $53,920 per year, which is 14.2% below the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,880 |
| 25th | $48,700 |
| 50th (median) | $53,920 |
| 75th | $61,310 |
| 90th (experienced) | $65,240 |
Iowa employs approximately 730 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 Iowa Worth It?
Factors to consider: Iowa's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.