Legislation
📣 Legislative Victory for Illinois Surgical Technologists:
Senate Resolution 0423 Passes!
ISA Members,
We are proud to announce the successful passage of Senate Resolution 0423, a powerful affirmation of the vital role surgical technologists play in patient safety and surgical excellence.
This resolution formally recognizes the contributions of our profession across Illinois and underscores the importance of education, certification, and advocacy in advancing surgical care. It reflects years of dedication, collaboration, and tireless work by ISA members, educators, and healthcare partners statewide.
In solidarity,
Illinois State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (ISA-AST)
Great News – HB 1598 Passes the House!
House Bill 1598, the Operating Room Patient Safety Act, has officially passed the Illinois House of Representatives!
This is a significant step forward in our shared mission to enhance patient safety and uphold professional standards in the operating room. HB 1598 recognizes the critical role that credentialed surgical technologists play in delivering safe, high-quality surgical care.
The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, where we will continue advocating for its passage with your continued support, engagement, and outreach. Your voice and dedication are making a real difference, and we are deeply grateful for your efforts.
Stay tuned for updates on the bill's progress and ways you can help as it moves through the Senate. Together, we’re advancing the future of surgical technology in Illinois.
With appreciation,
The ISA Board of Directors
House Bill 1598, the Operating Room Patient Safety Act, has officially passed the Illinois House of Representatives!
This is a significant step forward in our shared mission to enhance patient safety and uphold professional standards in the operating room. HB 1598 recognizes the critical role that credentialed surgical technologists play in delivering safe, high-quality surgical care.
The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, where we will continue advocating for its passage with your continued support, engagement, and outreach. Your voice and dedication are making a real difference, and we are deeply grateful for your efforts.
Stay tuned for updates on the bill's progress and ways you can help as it moves through the Senate. Together, we’re advancing the future of surgical technology in Illinois.
With appreciation,
The ISA Board of Directors
Physician Petitions for Legislation:
In April, the ISA hosted a Legislative Meet and Greet at Boone’s Saloon in Springfield, Il
promoting the renewal of our registration act. This gave our members from across the state an
opportunity to speak with their state representatives about the importance of educational
requirements for surgical technologists in the State of Illinois, as well as the integral role we play
in the operating room. It was a great turnout, and we thank all who could make it! We found out
at the end of May that the sunset extension for our registration act passed the House and Senate
unanimously and will be sent to the governor to be signed within 60 days.
promoting the renewal of our registration act. This gave our members from across the state an
opportunity to speak with their state representatives about the importance of educational
requirements for surgical technologists in the State of Illinois, as well as the integral role we play
in the operating room. It was a great turnout, and we thank all who could make it! We found out
at the end of May that the sunset extension for our registration act passed the House and Senate
unanimously and will be sent to the governor to be signed within 60 days.
The legislation in place for surgical assistants and surgical technologists in Illinois is the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act. The purpose of this act is to protect and benefit the public by setting standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for those who seek to hold the title of registered surgical assistant and registered surgical technologist. The act in its entirety can be found on the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation's website or here. A link to the application can be found below.
Effective November 27, 2018:
For several years, the ISA has been working with AST's Government Affairs department to introduce and pass legislation to require certification as a condition of employment for surgical technologists in Illinois. It was anticipated that the new legislation would replace the Title Protection Act, but unfortunately, we were only able to accomplish the reaffirmation of the Title Protection Act. It is the goal of the ISA to reintroduce legislation again in the near future to require certification as a condition of employment.
Introducing and passing legislation can be quite costly. The ISA is in the process of raising the funds to pay for a lobbyist to assist with our quest, but we also need your HELP! In order for us to be successful, we will be enlisting your assistance to help with our grassroots efforts. We cannot do this alone! It will take the voice and tenacity of each and every Illinois State Assembly member to get this accomplished. Every patient deserves a Certified Surgical Technologist in the operating room.
To learn more about the legislative efforts, please visit the AST website's legislation page.
REGISTRATION APPLICATION
Effective November 27, 2018:
- In order for a Surgical Assistant (SA) to renew his/her registration (Registered Surgical Assistant (RSA)) with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the SA must show proof that his/her certification is current (up-to-date).
- Next renewal cycle: April, 2020
- In order for a Surgical Technologist (ST) to renew his/her registration (Registered Surgical Technologist (RST)) with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the ST must show proof that his/her certification is current (up-to-date).
- Next renewal cycle: January, 2023
For several years, the ISA has been working with AST's Government Affairs department to introduce and pass legislation to require certification as a condition of employment for surgical technologists in Illinois. It was anticipated that the new legislation would replace the Title Protection Act, but unfortunately, we were only able to accomplish the reaffirmation of the Title Protection Act. It is the goal of the ISA to reintroduce legislation again in the near future to require certification as a condition of employment.
Introducing and passing legislation can be quite costly. The ISA is in the process of raising the funds to pay for a lobbyist to assist with our quest, but we also need your HELP! In order for us to be successful, we will be enlisting your assistance to help with our grassroots efforts. We cannot do this alone! It will take the voice and tenacity of each and every Illinois State Assembly member to get this accomplished. Every patient deserves a Certified Surgical Technologist in the operating room.
To learn more about the legislative efforts, please visit the AST website's legislation page.
REGISTRATION APPLICATION