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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
The following apply:
(1) A health care facility shall not employ or otherwise contract for the services of a surgical technologist in a health care facility unless the individual meets at least one of the following:
(i) has successfully completed a surgical technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and holds and maintains a surgical technologist certification from an accredited certification program. The department may promulgate regulations which identify nationally recognized accredited programs which meet the standards necessary to promote the public good and protect the health and safety of individuals in a health care facility;
(ii) has successfully completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy or Air Force; or
(iii) provides evidence that the individual maintains a surgical technologist certification from an accredited certification program or was employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before the effective date of this section, or was employed to practice surgical technology as the individual's primary function in another health care facility at any time during the two years immediately preceding the effective date of this section.
(2) A health care facility that employs or contracts with an individual to practice surgical technology shall verify the dates of employment of the individual or contract period with the individual upon request by any of the following:
(i) another health care facility;
(ii) another individual who is employed by or contracts with the health care facility to practice surgical technology; or
(iii) another individual who was formerly employed by or contracted with the health care facility to practice surgical technology.
(3) A health care facility may employ or contract an individual to practice surgical technology during the six-month period immediately following successful completion of a surgical technology program under paragraph (1)(i), but may not continue to be employed or contracted with beyond that period without documentation that the individual has obtained certification as required under paragraph (1)(i).
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 449.261. Requirements for health care facilities - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-35-ps-health-and-safety/pa-st-sect-35-449-261/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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