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Healthcare license portability
Surgical Technologist license reciprocity by state
Surgical Technologist is unregulated in 35 of the 50 states and DC, meaning no state license is required at all — your professional certification still matters to employers but there's no reciprocity pathway to navigate. Each row below links to the state's official licensing board and lists the specific reciprocal states where we have them.
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5 states recognize
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3 via endorsement
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35 no license required
Reciprocity tier legend
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Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
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Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
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Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
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Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full surgical technologist profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | remove_circle_outline No license |
Alabama does not license surgical technologists; national certifications are widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Alabama does not have state licensure. National certifications are widely recognized.
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| Alaska | remove_circle_outline No license |
Alaska does not license surgical technologists; national certifications are accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Alaska does not have state licensure. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Arizona | remove_circle_outline No license |
Arizona does not license surgical technologists; national certifications are widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Arizona does not have state licensure. National certifications are widely recognized.
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| Arkansas | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity is not specified, but national certification may facilitate registration.
Reciprocal states: Not specified, but registration is based on national certification and education/military training, which may facilitate registration for those certified in other states.
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| California | remove_circle_outline No license |
California does not license surgical technologists; national certification is accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: National certification (CST or TS-C) is accepted by employers nationwide, as California does not have state licensure.
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| Colorado | remove_circle_outline No license |
Colorado requires registration, not licensure, making reciprocity not applicable.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Colorado requires registration, not licensure or certification.
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| Connecticut | remove_circle_outline No license |
Connecticut does not issue a state license; national certification is recognized, but requirements vary.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Connecticut does not issue a state license. National certification (CST) is recognized across states, but individual employer or state requirements may vary.
Official state board
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| Delaware | remove_circle_outline No license |
Delaware does not have a state license for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as there is no state license.
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| District of Columbia | help_outline Unclear | No reciprocity language published; contact the state licensing board directly. Official state board arrow_outward | Full page arrow_outward |
| Florida | remove_circle_outline No license |
Florida does not require state licensure; national certifications are accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: Florida does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Georgia | remove_circle_outline No license |
Georgia does not require state licensure; national certifications are accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: Georgia does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable at the state level. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Hawaii | remove_circle_outline No license |
Hawaii does not have state licensure for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Hawaii does not have state licensure.
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| Idaho | help_outline Unclear | No reciprocity language published; contact the state licensing board directly. Official state board arrow_outward | Full page arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Illinois offers registration by endorsement for those licensed or registered in other states.
Reciprocal states: Illinois offers registration by endorsement for individuals actively licensed or registered as a surgical technologist in another state or jurisdiction of the United States.
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| Indiana | remove_circle_outline No license |
Indiana does not issue a state license; national certification is recognized.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Indiana does not issue a state license. National certification is recognized.
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| Iowa | remove_circle_outline No license |
Iowa does not have a state license; national certifications are recognized across states.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable for state license; national certifications are recognized across states.
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| Kansas | remove_circle_outline No license |
Kansas does not require state licensure for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Kansas does not require state licensure.
Official state board
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| Kentucky | remove_circle_outline No license |
Kentucky has no state license; national certifications are accepted by employers nationwide.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as there is no state license. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Louisiana | remove_circle_outline No license |
Louisiana does not require state licensure; national certifications like CST are widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Louisiana does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable in the traditional sense. However, national certifications like CST are widely recognized.
Official state board
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| Maine | remove_circle_outline No license |
Maine does not require state licensure; national certifications are accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: Maine does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable at the state level. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Maryland | remove_circle_outline No license |
Maryland does not require state licensure or registration; national certifications are accepted.
Reciprocal states: Maryland does not require state licensure or registration for surgical technologists, so reciprocity is not applicable. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Massachusetts | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity information for Massachusetts is not specified.
Reciprocal states: Not specified
Official state board
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| Michigan | remove_circle_outline No license |
Michigan does not have state licensing; national certifications are recognized nationwide.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Michigan does not have state-level licensing. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are recognized nationwide.
Official state board
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| Minnesota | remove_circle_outline No license |
Certification is national, not state-specific, so state reciprocity is not applicable.
Reciprocal states: Certification is national, not state-specific.
Official state board
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| Mississippi | remove_circle_outline No license |
Mississippi does not have state licensing; national certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Mississippi does not have state-level licensing, so reciprocity is not applicable. National certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Official state board
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| Missouri | remove_circle_outline No license |
Missouri does not have state licensing; national certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Missouri does not have state-level licensing. National certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Official state board
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| Montana | remove_circle_outline No license |
Montana does not have state licensure; national certification is accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: National certification (CST or TS-C) is accepted by employers nationwide, as Montana does not have state licensure.
Official state board
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| Nebraska | remove_circle_outline No license |
Nebraska does not license Surgical Technologists, so reciprocity is not applicable.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Nebraska does not license Surgical Technologists.
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| Nevada | check_circle Recognized |
Nevada requires national NBSTSA certification, which is widely recognized for practice.
Reciprocal states: Nevada requires NBSTSA certification, which is a national certification. Specific state-to-state reciprocity is not detailed, but the national certification is widely recognized.
Official state board
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| New Hampshire | remove_circle_outline No license |
New Hampshire does not have state licensure; national certification is the standard.
Reciprocal states: N/A (National certification)
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| New Jersey | check_circle Recognized |
Alaska, Arizona, and Delaware accept NJ Surgical Technologist licenses via reciprocity.
Reciprocal states: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware accept NJ Surgical Technologist license via reciprocity agreement.
Official state board
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| New Mexico | remove_circle_outline No license |
New Mexico does not have a state license for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable as there is no state license.
Official state board
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| New York | remove_circle_outline No license |
New York does not require state licensure; national certifications are accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: New York does not require state licensure, so reciprocity as typically understood for state licenses does not apply. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are accepted by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| North Carolina | remove_circle_outline No license |
North Carolina does not have state licensing; national certifications are widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: North Carolina does not have state-level licensing, so reciprocity is not applicable. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are widely recognized.
Official state board
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| North Dakota | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity is not specified, but registration as a UAP is required.
Reciprocal states: Not specified, but registration as UAP is required.
Official state board
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| Ohio | remove_circle_outline No license |
Ohio does not require state licensure; national certifications are recognized by employers.
Reciprocal states: Ohio does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable at the state level. National certifications (CST or TS-C) are recognized by employers nationwide.
Official state board
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| Oklahoma | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity varies by state; always verify with the destination state's licensing board.
Reciprocal states: Reciprocity varies by state. Always verify with the destination state's licensing board before practicing.
Official state board
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| Oregon | help_outline Unclear |
Reciprocity is not specified, but some experienced out-of-state practitioners may be exempt.
Reciprocal states: Not specified, but individuals who practiced in another state prior to January 1, 2017, may be exempt from some requirements if they meet specific criteria.
Official state board
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| Pennsylvania | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
Pennsylvania offers reciprocity for equivalent licenses, considered case-by-case; some states accept, others do not.
Reciprocal states: Pennsylvania offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with substantially equivalent licensing requirements, considered on a case-by-case basis under Act 41 of 2019. Colorado accepts PA Surgical Technologist licenses via reciprocity agreement, while other states like Delaware and Arizona may require additional exams or paperwork. California and Florida do not recognize PA Surgical Technologist licenses.
Official state board
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| Rhode Island | remove_circle_outline No license |
Rhode Island does not have state licensure for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Rhode Island does not have state licensure.
Official state board
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| South Carolina | remove_circle_outline No license |
South Carolina does not require state licensure; national certification is accepted by employers.
Reciprocal states: South Carolina does not require state licensure or registration for surgical technologists. National certification (CST or TS-C) is accepted by employers nationwide. There is no interstate compact for surgical technologists.
Official state board
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| South Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement |
South Dakota participates in interstate compacts, facilitating practice for qualified professionals.
Reciprocal states: South Dakota participates in interstate licensing compacts, which may facilitate practice across state lines for qualified Surgical Technologist professionals. Military personnel and spouses may have options for full or temporary licensure.
Official state board
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| Tennessee | check_circle Recognized |
Tennessee generally accepts national certification (CST or TS-C) from other states with standard verification.
Reciprocal states: Tennessee does not have specific reciprocity agreements, but generally accepts national certification (CST or TS-C) from other states. Verification of current certification, graduation from an accredited program, and background check clearance are typical requirements.
Official state board
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| Texas | check_circle Recognized |
Texas requires national certification, which is widely recognized for surgical technologists.
Reciprocal states: Not specified, but national certification is required, which is widely recognized.
Official state board
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| Utah | remove_circle_outline No license |
Utah does not require a state license; national certification is recognized nationwide.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable as there is no state license; national certification is recognized in all 50 states.
Official state board
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| Vermont | remove_circle_outline No license |
Vermont does not require state licensure for surgical technologists, making reciprocity inapplicable.
Reciprocal states: Vermont does not require state licensure, so reciprocity is not applicable. However, states that regulate surgical technologists generally accept national certification (CST or TS-C) from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current certification, graduation from an accredited program, and a background check. Always verify specific requirements with the destination state's licensing authority.
Official state board
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| Virginia | check_circle Recognized |
Virginia evaluates applicants based on established pathways, including national certification or military training.
Reciprocal states: Virginia does not have a specific reciprocity agreement with other states. Applicants are evaluated based on meeting one of the established pathways for certification, which includes national certification or military training.
Official state board
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| Washington | help_outline Unclear |
Washington lacks specific reciprocity agreements; its stance on accepting national certification is unclear.
Reciprocal states: Washington does not have specific reciprocity agreements for surgical technologists, but states that regulate surgical technologists generally accept national certification (CST or TS-C) from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current certification, graduation from an accredited program, and background check clearance. Always verify specific requirements with the destination state's licensing authority.
Official state board
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| West Virginia | remove_circle_outline No license |
West Virginia does not have state-level licensing for surgical technologists, so reciprocity is not applicable.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as West Virginia does not have state-level licensing.
Official state board
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| Wisconsin | remove_circle_outline No license |
Wisconsin does not require state licensure; national certification (CST) is recognized nationwide.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Wisconsin does not have state licensure. National certification (CST) is recognized nationwide.
Official state board
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| Wyoming | remove_circle_outline No license |
Wyoming does not require state licensure; national certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Reciprocal states: Not applicable, as Wyoming does not have state licensure. National certification (CST) is widely recognized.
Official state board
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How this was compiled · Last updated 2026-07-21
Reciprocity tiers and summaries are compiled from each state's licensing board and department of professional regulation — linked per row above — and reviewed against public board guidance. Licensing rules change frequently and often depend on your license class (for example journeyman vs. master) and the specific states involved. Always confirm current requirements directly with the destination state's board before making a career or relocation decision. This page is informational and is not legal or licensing advice.
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