2023 Tennessee Code › Title 68 - HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (§§ 68-1-NEW — 68-221-1319) › HEALTH (§§ 68-1-NEW — 68-6-201) › Chapter 57 - SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS (§§ 68-57-101 — 68-57-106) › Section 68-57-101 - Qualifications for employment of surgical technologists

(a)
An individual employed as a surgical technologist must meet one (1) or more of the following requirements:
(1)
Successfully completed a nationally accredited surgical technology program, and holds and maintains certification as a surgical technologist from a national certifying body that certifies surgical technologists and is recognized by the health facilities commission;
(2)
(A)
Successfully completed an accredited surgical technologist program;
(B)
Has not, as of the date of hire, obtained certification as a surgical technologist from a national certifying body that certifies surgical technologists and is recognized by the health facilities commission; and
(C)
Obtains such certification no later than eighteen (18) months after completion of the program;
(3)
Performed surgical technology services as a surgical technologist in a healthcare facility on or before May 21, 2007, and has been designated by the healthcare facility as being competent to perform surgical technology services based on prior experience or specialized training validated by competency in current practice. The healthcare facility employing or retaining such person as a surgical technologist under this subsection (a) obtains proof of such person's prior experience, specialized training, and current continuing competency as a surgical technologist and makes the proof available to the health facilities commission upon request of the commission; or
(4)
Successfully completed a training program for surgical technology in the armed forces of the United States, the national guard, or the United States public health service.
(b)
This section does not prohibit a person from performing surgical technology services if the person is acting within the scope of the person's license, certification, registration, permit, or designation, or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.
(c)
A student who completed a surgical technology program that was in the process of becoming accredited on July 1, 2006, is considered a graduate of the accredited program.
(d)
A person qualified to be employed as a surgical technologist pursuant to subsection (a) shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education or contact hours annually to remain qualified for employment and shall submit verification of having completed such continuing education or contact hours requirements to the person's employer. The submission of current certification recognized by the health facilities commission satisfies the requirements of this subsection (d).
(e)
This section and § 68-57-102 do not constitute a requirement to be assessed during an inspection under chapter 11, part 2 of this title.
(f)
(1)
The commission may promulgate rules, including emergency rules, to effectuate this section.
(2)
In adopting rules pursuant to subdivision (f)(1), the commission may, in the commission's discretion, adopt in whole or in part by reference, nationally or regionally accredited surgical technology programs. The commission shall maintain a list of approved accredited surgical technology programs.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 932,s 17, eff. 5/6/2024.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 391, s 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 2004, ch. 532, § 2.