Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to practice requirements for surgical technologists
Sponsored by Rep. Megan Jones (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
- Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary To work as a surgical technologist in an Iowa health care facility, people must meet certain education, certification, or military training requirements. Starting in 2026, these professionals will also need to complete 15 hours of continuing education every year. Health care facilities are responsible for making sure their employees follow these rules.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to practice requirements for surgical technologists. The bill defines “health care facility” (facility) and “surgical technology” (technology). The bill prohibits any person from practicing technology in a facility, and prohibits facilities from employing or contracting with a person to engage in technology, unless that person has successfully completed a nationally or regionally accredited technology program; holds and maintains a certification issued by the national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting or another nationally recognized credentialing organization; has completed a technology training program in the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, or public health service; provides evidence that they have been employed to practice technology in a health care facility in this state prior to July 1, 2025; or is in the service of the federal government and technology duties are required as part of their service. Beginning July 1, 2026, the bill requires a person qualified to practice technology to annually complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE). The bill directs the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing to adopt rules relating to technology CE. The bill requires facilities that employ a person to practice technology to verify the person’s compliance with technology practice and CE requirements. The bill is not to be construed to prohibit people licensed under Code chapter 148 (medicine and surgery and osteopathic medicine and surgery), 152 (nursing), 153 (dentistry), or 154 (optometry) from practicing technology if the person is acting within the scope of the person’s license.