Improvements to the Practice of Surgical Assistants Approved by House Committee

COLUMBUS – House Bill 196 was favorably reported out of the House Health Committee, announced State Representative Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton). The bi-partisan legislation would require individuals to hold a license by the State Medical Board in order to practice as a surgical assistant. The Board may grant waivers from the license to those assistants who work only at a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility.  

“I’m very pleased to see movement on this legislation,” said Carruthers, primary sponsor of the bill. “I’d like to thank the Chairman for putting it up for a vote, the committee members for lending their support and my joint sponsor State Representative Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati).” 

The bill calls for two-year licenses. Applicants must complete continuing education, by rules adopted by the Board, in order to renew their license. 

Individuals with certain previous experience will be grandfathered into the license. Those who have: 

·         Practiced as a surgical assistant in Ohio for the last six months. 

·         Successfully completed a surgical assistant training program while serving in the U.S. Military.

·        Or hold a surgical assistant credential sponsored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants.

During the committee process, proponents from the Association of Surgical Assistants and National Surgical Assistant Associations provided testimony. 

H.B. 196 now awaits a full House floor vote.