Bridging the Gap: Why It’s Time to Advocate for Licensure in Surgical Technology

In today’s complex healthcare environment, patient safety and professional accountability are non-negotiable. Yet one critical role within the surgical team the surgical technologist remains largely unregulated in many states. Unlike registered nurses or radiologic technologists, surgical technologists are not required to obtain a license to practice in most parts of the United States. This lack of standardization not only undermines the professional identity of surgical technologists but also introduces variability in patient care outcomes.

As a healthcare educator and surgical technologist with over 25 years of experience, I’ve I have seen firsthand how this gap in licensure impacts both the profession and the patients we serve. That’s why I’ve launched this initiative: to raise awareness, share research, and advocate for change.

The multimedia presentation below, Bridging the Gap: Advancing Evidence-Based Practice Through Licensing Advocacy for Surgical Technologists, presents key research findings and outlines the urgent need for legislative reform. It highlights:

• Current disparities in licensure requirements across the U.S.

• Evidence linking credentialing to improved patient outcomes

• Professional perspectives from surgical technologists and educators

• Strategies for advocacy at the state level

This project is more than a presentation it's a call to action. If we want to elevate the profession, support workforce development , and ensure consistent, high-quality surgical care, we must begin by demanding recognition through licensure. I invite you to read the presentation, share it with your networks, and join the conversation. Together we can move the profession forward!

Absence of Mandatory State Licensure May 5th (1).docx

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