{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-2956.13.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-2956.13.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-2956.13.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-2956.13.html"}],"law_id":368438,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368438,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.13","catch_line":"Licensure of surgical assistant; practice of surgical assisting; use of title","history":"2014, c. 531; 2016, c. 99; 2018, c. 374; 2020, c. 1222; 2023, c. 792.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall engage in the practice of surgical assisting or use or assume the title “surgical assistant” unless such person holds a license as a surgical assistant issued by the Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any professional licensed, certified, or registered by a health regulatory board from acting within the scope of his practice.\n\nB\n\nThe Board shall establish criteria for licensure as a surgical assistant, which shall include evidence that the applicant:\n\n1\n\nHolds a current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors;\n\n2\n\nHas successfully completed a surgical assistant training program during the person’s service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or\n\n3\n\nHas practiced as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth at any time in the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020.\n\nC\n\nFor renewal of a license, a surgical assistant who was licensed based on a credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors shall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal.\n\nD\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a person who has graduated from a surgical assistant training program and is required to take a national certification examination given by any entity listed in subdivision B 1 may practice with the title “surgical assistant, license applicant” until he has received a failing score on the national certification examination or six months from the date of graduation, whichever occurs sooner. Any person practicing pursuant to this subsection shall be identified with the title “surgical assistant, license applicant” on any identification issued by an employer and in conjunction with any signature in the course of his practice.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1372304,"text":"No person shall engage in the practice of surgical assisting or use or assume the title “surgical assistant” unless such person holds a license as a surgical assistant issued by the Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any professional licensed, certified, or registered by a health regulatory board from acting within the scope of his practice.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1372305,"text":"The Board shall establish criteria for licensure as a surgical assistant, which shall include evidence that the applicant:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1372306,"text":"Holds a current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1372307,"text":"Has successfully completed a surgical assistant training program during the person’s service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1372308,"text":"Has practiced as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth at any time in the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":1372309,"text":"For renewal of a license, a surgical assistant who was licensed based on a credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors shall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":1372310,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a person who has graduated from a surgical assistant training program and is required to take a national certification examination given by any entity listed in subdivision B 1 may practice with the title “surgical assistant, license applicant” until he has received a failing score on the national certification examination or six months from the date of graduation, whichever occurs sooner. Any person practicing pursuant to this subsection shall be identified with the title “surgical assistant, license applicant” on any identification issued by an employer and in conjunction with any signature in the course of his practice.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52507,"edition_id":2,"name":"Licensure and Certification of Other Practitioners of the Healing Arts","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52503,"metadata":{"child_laws":62,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:55","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:06","permalink":{"id":1469193,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52507,"identifier":"4","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52503,"edition_id":2,"name":"Medicine and Other Healing Arts","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":10,"parent_id":52479,"metadata":{"child_laws":183,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:48","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:05","permalink":{"id":1468935,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52503,"identifier":"29","token":"54.1\/III\/29","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52479,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":738,"child_structures":83},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:00","permalink":{"id":1468107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52479,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368416,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2942","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2942\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2942","metadata":false},{"id":368417,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2949","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-2949\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2949","metadata":false},{"id":368419,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2950","catch_line":"Requisite training and educational achievements of assistants","url":"\/54.1-2950\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2950","metadata":false},{"id":368418,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2950.1","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Physician Assistants; membership; qualifications","url":"\/54.1-2950.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2950.1","metadata":false},{"id":368424,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2951","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2951\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2951","metadata":false},{"id":368420,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2951.1","catch_line":"Requirements for licensure and practice as a physician assistant; licensure by endorsement","url":"\/54.1-2951.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2951.1","metadata":false},{"id":368421,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2951.2","catch_line":"Issuance of a license","url":"\/54.1-2951.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2951.2","metadata":false},{"id":368422,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2951.3","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for certain physician assistants","url":"\/54.1-2951.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2951.3","metadata":false},{"id":368423,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2951.4","catch_line":"Exception to physician assistant license requirement; physician assistant student","url":"\/54.1-2951.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2951.4","metadata":false},{"id":368427,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2952","catch_line":"Role of patient care team physician or patient care team podiatrist on patient care teams; services that may be performed by physician assistants; responsibility of licensee; employment of physician assistants","url":"\/54.1-2952\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2952","metadata":false},{"id":368425,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2952.1","catch_line":"Prescription of certain controlled substances and devices by licensed physician assistants","url":"\/54.1-2952.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2952.1","metadata":false},{"id":368426,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2952.2","catch_line":"When physician assistant signature accepted","url":"\/54.1-2952.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2952.2","metadata":false},{"id":368429,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2953","catch_line":"Renewal, revocation, suspension, and refusal","url":"\/54.1-2953\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2953","metadata":false},{"id":368428,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2953.1","catch_line":"PA Licensure Compact","url":"\/54.1-2953.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2953.1","metadata":false},{"id":368431,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2954","catch_line":"Respiratory therapist; definition","url":"\/54.1-2954\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2954","metadata":false},{"id":368430,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2954.1","catch_line":"Powers of Board concerning respiratory care","url":"\/54.1-2954.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2954.1","metadata":false},{"id":368432,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2955","catch_line":"Restriction of titles","url":"\/54.1-2955\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2955","metadata":false},{"id":368450,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Respiratory Care; appointment; terms; duties; etc","url":"\/54.1-2956\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956","metadata":false},{"id":368433,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.01","catch_line":"Exceptions to respiratory therapist's licensure","url":"\/54.1-2956.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.01","metadata":false},{"id":368434,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.1","catch_line":"Powers of Board concerning occupational therapy","url":"\/54.1-2956.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.1","metadata":false},{"id":368435,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.10","catch_line":"Requisite training and educational achievements of acupuncturists","url":"\/54.1-2956.10\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.10","metadata":false},{"id":368436,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.11","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Acupuncture; composition; appointment","url":"\/54.1-2956.11\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.11","metadata":false},{"id":368437,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.12","catch_line":"Registered surgical technologist; use of title; registration","url":"\/54.1-2956.12\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.12","metadata":false},{"id":368438,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.13","catch_line":"Licensure of surgical assistant; practice of surgical assisting; use of title","url":"\/54.1-2956.13\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.13","metadata":false},{"id":368439,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.14","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Surgical Assisting; appointments; terms; duties","url":"\/54.1-2956.14\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.14","metadata":false},{"id":368440,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.2","catch_line":"Advisory Board of Occupational Therapy","url":"\/54.1-2956.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.2","metadata":false},{"id":368441,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.3","catch_line":"Advisory Board of Occupational Therapy; composition; appointment","url":"\/54.1-2956.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.3","metadata":false},{"id":368442,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.4","catch_line":"Advisory Board of Occupational Therapy; powers","url":"\/54.1-2956.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.4","metadata":false},{"id":368443,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.5","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice occupational therapy without license","url":"\/54.1-2956.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.5","metadata":false},{"id":368444,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.6","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2956.6\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.6","metadata":false},{"id":368445,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.7:1","catch_line":"Occupational Therapy Interjurisdictional Licensure Compact","url":"\/54.1-2956.7_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":368446,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.8","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Radiological Technology; appointments; terms; etc","url":"\/54.1-2956.8\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.8","metadata":false},{"id":368447,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.8:1","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice radiologic technology without license; unlawful designation as a radiologist assistant, radiologic technologist, or radiologic technologist, limited; Board to regulate radiologist assistants and radiologic technologists","url":"\/54.1-2956.8_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.8_1","metadata":false},{"id":368448,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.8:2","catch_line":"Requisite training and educational achievements of radiologist assistants, radiologic technologists, and radiologic technologists, limited","url":"\/54.1-2956.8_2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.8_2","metadata":false},{"id":368449,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.9","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice acupuncture without license; unlawful designation as acupuncturist; Board to regulate acupuncturists","url":"\/54.1-2956.9\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.9","metadata":false},{"id":368477,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957","catch_line":"Licensure and practice of advanced practice registered nurses; certified nurse midwives; independent practice of certified nurse midwives","url":"\/54.1-2957\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957","metadata":false},{"id":368451,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.001","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for advanced practice registered nurses","url":"\/54.1-2957.001\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.001","metadata":false},{"id":368452,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.01","catch_line":"Prescription of certain controlled substances and devices by licensed advanced practice registered nurses","url":"\/54.1-2957.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.01","metadata":false},{"id":368453,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.02","catch_line":"When advanced practice registered nurse signature accepted","url":"\/54.1-2957.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.02","metadata":false},{"id":368454,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.03","catch_line":"Certified nurse midwives; required disclosures; liability","url":"\/54.1-2957.03\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.03","metadata":false},{"id":368455,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.04","catch_line":"Licensure as a licensed certified midwife; practice as a licensed certified midwife; independent practice as a licensed certified midwife; use of title; required disclosures","url":"\/54.1-2957.04\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.04","metadata":false},{"id":368456,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2957.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.1","metadata":false},{"id":368457,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.10","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Midwifery established; membership; duties; terms","url":"\/54.1-2957.10\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.10","metadata":false},{"id":368458,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.11","catch_line":"Requirements for disclosure","url":"\/54.1-2957.11\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.11","metadata":false},{"id":368459,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.12","catch_line":"Immunity","url":"\/54.1-2957.12\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.12","metadata":false},{"id":368460,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.13","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/54.1-2957.13\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.13","metadata":false},{"id":368461,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.14","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Polysomnographic Technology; appointment; terms; duties","url":"\/54.1-2957.14\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.14","metadata":false},{"id":368462,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.15","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice as a polysomnographic technologist without a license","url":"\/54.1-2957.15\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.15","metadata":false},{"id":368463,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.16","catch_line":"Licensure of behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts; requirements; powers of the Board","url":"\/54.1-2957.16\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.16","metadata":false},{"id":368464,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.17","catch_line":"Exceptions to licensure requirements","url":"\/54.1-2957.17\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.17","metadata":false},{"id":368465,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.18","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Behavior Analysis","url":"\/54.1-2957.18\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.18","metadata":false},{"id":368466,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.19","catch_line":"Genetic counseling; 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requisite training and educational requirements; powers of the Board concerning athletic training","url":"\/54.1-2957.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.4","metadata":false},{"id":368472,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.5","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Athletic Training established; duties; composition; appointment; terms","url":"\/54.1-2957.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.5","metadata":false},{"id":368473,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.6","catch_line":"Exceptions to athletic trainer licensure","url":"\/54.1-2957.6\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.6","metadata":false},{"id":368474,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.7","catch_line":"Licensed midwife and practice of midwifery; definitions","url":"\/54.1-2957.7\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.7","metadata":false},{"id":368475,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.8","catch_line":"Licensure of midwives; requisite training and educational requirements; fees","url":"\/54.1-2957.8\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.8","metadata":false},{"id":368476,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2957.9","catch_line":"Regulation of the practice of midwifery","url":"\/54.1-2957.9\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2957.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":368437,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.12","catch_line":"Registered surgical technologist; use of title; registration","url":"\/54.1-2956.12\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.12","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":368439,"structure_id":52507,"section_number":"54.1-2956.14","catch_line":"Advisory Board on Surgical Assisting; appointments; terms; duties","url":"\/54.1-2956.14\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.14","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2956.13\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2014. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 531<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2016, chapter 99<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 374<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 1222<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 792<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1469287,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368438,"identifier":"54.1-2956.13","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.13","url":"\/54.1-2956.13\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2956.13\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/4\/54.1-2956.13","dublin_core":{"Title":"Licensure of surgical assistant; practice of surgical assisting; use of title","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2956.13","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall engage in the practice of surgical assisting<\/span> or use or assume the title “surgical assistant<\/span>” unless such person holds a license as a surgical assistant<\/span> issued by the Board<\/span>. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any professional licensed, certified, or registered by a health regulatory board<\/span> from acting within the scope of his practice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall establish criteria for licensure as a surgical assistant<\/span>, which shall include evidence<\/span> that the applicant: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Holds a current credential as a surgical assistant<\/span> or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board<\/span> of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants<\/span> or their successors; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Has successfully completed a surgical assistant<\/span> training program during the person’s service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Has practiced as a surgical assistant<\/span> in the Commonwealth at any time in the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For renewal of a license, a surgical assistant<\/span> who was licensed based on a credential as a surgical assistant<\/span> or surgical first assistant issued by the National Board<\/span> of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants<\/span> or their successors shall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a person who has graduated from a surgical assistant<\/span> training program and is required to take a national certification examination given by any entity listed in subdivision B 1 may practice with the title “surgical assistant<\/span>, license applicant” until he has received a failing score on the national certification examination or six months from the date of graduation, whichever occurs sooner. Any person practicing pursuant to this subsection shall be identified with the title “surgical assistant<\/span>, license applicant” on any identification issued by an employer and in conjunction with any signature in the course of his practice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSURE OF SURGICAL ASSISTANT; PRACTICE OF SURGICAL ASSISTING; USE OF TITLE\n(\u00a7 54.1-2956.13)\n\nA. No person shall engage in the practice of surgical assisting or use or assume\nthe title “surgical assistant” unless such person holds a license as\na surgical assistant issued by the Board. Nothing in this section shall be\nconstrued as prohibiting any professional licensed, certified, or registered by\na health regulatory board from acting within the scope of his practice.\n\nB. The Board shall establish criteria for licensure as a surgical assistant,\nwhich shall include evidence that the applicant:\n\n 1. Holds a current credential as a surgical assistant or surgical first\n assistant issued by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical\n Assisting, or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants\n or their successors;\n\n 2. Has successfully completed a surgical assistant training program during the\n person’s service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the\n United States; or\n\n 3. Has practiced as a surgical assistant in the Commonwealth at any time in\n the six months immediately prior to July 1, 2020.\n\nC. For renewal of a license, a surgical assistant who was licensed based on a\ncredential as a surgical assistant or surgical first assistant issued by the\nNational Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or the National\nCommission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants or their successors\nshall attest that the credential is current at the time of renewal.\n\nD. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a person who has graduated\nfrom a surgical assistant training program and is required to take a national\ncertification examination given by any entity listed in subdivision B 1 may\npractice with the title “surgical assistant, license applicant”\nuntil he has received a failing score on the national certification examination\nor six months from the date of graduation, whichever occurs sooner. Any person\npracticing pursuant to this subsection shall be identified with the title\n“surgical assistant, license applicant” on any identification issued\nby an employer and in conjunction with any signature in the course of his\npractice.\n\nHISTORY: 2014, c. 531; 2016, c. 99; 2018, c. 374; 2020, c. 1222; 2023, c. 792.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}