Surgical Technologist in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Virginia
To become a Surgical Technologist in Virginia, individuals must register with the Virginia Board of Medicine. This requires successful completion of an accredited surgical technologist training program and holding a current national certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or a credential from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or American Allied Health (AAH). The application fee for certification is $75, and certification must be renewed every two years.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board of Medicine |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Completion of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program. |
| Exam | NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam ($350) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Virginia requires registration with the Board of Medicine. Applicants must hold current national certification from the NBSTSA or a credential from NCCT or AAH. Renewal for those certified by NBSTSA requires maintaining that certification. For those certified via military training or who practiced prior to July 1, 2021, 30 hours of continuing education recognized by the Association of Surgical Technologists are required for biennial renewal. The Board of Medicine has a mandatory 1 hour of CE in Human Trafficking for all licensees for the 2024-2025 renewal cycles, but surgical technologists are exempt from this specific requirement as they are certified, not licensed. |
Source: Virginia Board of Medicine
Surgical Technologist Salary in Virginia
The median surgical technologist salary in Virginia is $63,460 per year, which is 1.0% above the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $45,960 |
| 25th | $54,140 |
| 50th (median) | $63,460 |
| 75th | $80,330 |
| 90th (experienced) | $98,450 |
Virginia employs approximately 2,250 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 Virginia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.