2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Surgical Technologist License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Assists in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons.

What the Arkansas data shows for Surgical Technologists

Arkansas's path to surgical technologist licensure runs through 1,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Arkansas folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Certificate/Degree".

Budget $100 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Arkansas, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Arkansas handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Surgical Technologist · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Certificate/Degree
1,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Surgical Technologist in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the license path calls for 1000 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Surgical Technologist in Arkansas?
Certification as a surgical technologist in Arkansas means clearing the state's checklist: 1000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Surgical Technologist license to Arkansas from another state?
Out-of-state surgical technologist credentials get a case-by-case review in Arkansas rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Arkansas licensing board.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Surgical Technologist licensing?
Background screening is part of the surgical technologist licensing process in Arkansas. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

What to do with this surgical technologist license

Surgical Technologist in Arkansas is one requirement row in a surgical technologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.